SANGHAR, June 25: Pakistan earns more than Rs8 billion from fisheries but the Sindh chief minister is not ready to listen to grievances of fishermen. This was stated by Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum Chairman Mohammad Ali Shah while talking to reporters here on Saturday. He said the Sindh government was awarding rights of fishing to contractors on the pretext of generating revenue.

He said if the contract system was abolished and fishermen were issued licences the government would earn more revenue.

Mr Shah said from 2000 to 2003 the Sindh government earned Rs50 million through contractors but spent Rs120 million on the fisheries department.

He alleged that the bureaucracy was getting commissions for awarding contracts.

He said from 1977 to 2001 there were dues of more than Rs45 million against Rangers but they paid only Rs5 million to the Sindh government.

He said if the contract system was not abolished, the fishermen would protest in front of foreign embassies in Islamabad.

He said the PFF had sent an application to the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan which was signed by more than 4,500 fishermen.