KARACHI, Jan 20: The Karachi Fish Harbour, listed as one of the best harbour by the European countries, will be given a new face-lift to boost Pakistani seafood exports.

In this regard, a week-long cleanliness drive will be launched at the harbour to improve its working and hygienic condition according to international standard.

This was decided at a meeting, chaired by Sindh Fisheries Minister Sardar Manzoor Ali Khan Panwar, held at the Marine Fisheries Department (MFD) here on Monday.

It was also decided that the cleanliness week would be observed jointly by the MFD, the Fishermen's Cooperative Society (FCS) and the Karachi Fish Harbour Authority (KFHA).

The minister lauded MFD's role in training of fishermen, improving the quality of seafood, and prompt dissemination of information to the people and organizations connected with the fisheries sector.

At the meeting, the minister was given briefing about the functioning of Marine Fisheries Department by the MFD's DG Commodore S.Q. Raza. Manzoor Panwar, who is also he FCS chairman, urged the federal and provincial organizations working in the fisheries sector to devise a joint strategy to achieve maximum benefit from the fisheries.

Later, the minister undertook a visit to the research laboratories of the MFD. Meanwhile, talking to Dawn, FCS vice-chairmen Abuzur Mariwara said that the scrutiny committee would soon finalize the list of the newly appointed persons.

Mr Abuzur criticized the elements, who were making "unnecessary hue and cry" over the jobs issue to seek political mileage. He said that such persons would not be allowed to succeed in their designs.

Maintaining that the present FCS administration was committed to serve the poor fishermen, he said that jobs were being provided to the scions of fishermen to minimize their economic difficulties. He said that a meeting of the FCS Board of Directors had been called on Jan 28 to discuss the current affairs of the Society.

BAN: A senior director criticized the ban imposed on elected directors for seeking any departmental information from managers and departmental heads. He described this ban in violation of the information policy of government.

He said that the information policy of government allowed access to general public on all information except some classified matters. However, another official said that the step had been taken to maintain departmental secrecy and discipline.

RESCUE: The staff of Maritime Security Agency, based in Pasni, rescued a Pakistani fishing boat Al-Shams Siddiqi (11435-B) that had hit a rock near Badok on Monday. The MSA staff had also saved 33 crew members, who were on the boat.

According to a press release of the agency, the MSA team not only saved 33 precious lives, but, also re-floated the sunken boat and towed it back to Pasni fish harbour, where the crew were provided with food and other logistic supports.