Protest Outside Badin Press Club; Demand for Audit of Financial Affairs of Fishermen Cooperative Society

Badin (Correspondent): Office-bearers and fishermen activists of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, District Badin, held a protest outside the Badin Press Club for the protection of fishermen’s rights, livelihoods, and natural resources. Later, addressing a press conference, District President Nabi Bakhsh and General Secretary Umar Mallah, along with fishermen leaders Rahim Bakhsh Chandiani, Qasim Bachho, Mithan Mallah, Ali Muhammad Sheikh, Abdul Ghafur Mallah, and other fishermen, called upon Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, the Sindh government, the Fisheries Department, relevant institutions, elected representatives, and political leadership to immediately resolve fishermen’s problems, protect their rights, ensure transparent investigations into the affairs of the Fishermen Cooperative Society, stop alleged attempts to weaken the organization, and ensure that fishermen’s resources are spent on their welfare.

The protesting fishermen also chanted slogans in support of their demands.

Addressing the press conference afterward, leaders of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, District Badin, said that an important chapter in the organization’s struggle for fishermen’s rights began in Badin in 1999, when a movement was launched against the contracting system governing fishermen’s livelihoods.

They said the struggle, initiated under the leadership and patronage of the late Muhammad Ali Shah, continued for approximately six years and paved the way for the abolition of the unfair contracting system governing freshwater resources.

The leaders said that, as a result of this struggle, numerous fishermen in Badin gained access to water resources for their livelihoods. According to them, this achievement was not the success of an individual but the result of the collective struggle of the fishermen community.

They said that the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum continues to struggle under the leadership of Chairman Syed Mehran Ali Shah for the fundamental, economic, and social rights of fishermen. The organization is playing its role in addressing issues involving arrested or detained fishermen, protection of the Sindh Delta, water supply, livelihoods, and the preservation of natural resources.

Fisherfolk Forum leaders alleged that following the death of the late Muhammad Ali Shah, various attempts were allegedly made to weaken the organization and disrupt its activities. These reportedly included attempts to shut down organizational projects, register cases against workers and leaders, and revive the former contracting system against the rights of fishermen.

Regarding the Fishermen Cooperative Society, the leaders also raised questions about the roles of Mustafa Mirani and Fatima Majeed and called for transparent and impartial investigations into the allegations concerning them.

They said that the resources and income of the Fishermen Cooperative Society are primarily linked to fishermen and, therefore, these funds should be spent on their welfare, livelihoods, education, healthcare, and basic facilities.

They demanded an independent and comprehensive audit of all financial affairs of the Fishermen Cooperative Society, including its income, expenditures, and funds used in the name of fishermen. They said that if any irregularities are established, those responsible should be proceeded against according to law.

The leaders also appealed to Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the party’s central and provincial leadership to take immediate notice of the problems faced by fishermen in Badin and order an impartial investigation into the alleged attempts to weaken the organization.

They demanded that the registration documents, organizational certificate, and other original documents of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum be handed over to the organization’s Central Chairman, Syed Mehran Ali Shah, and that no illegal interference be allowed in the organization’s legal status.

The Fisherfolk Forum leaders clarified that their struggle is not based on personal enmity against any individual but is aimed at securing fishermen’s rights, livelihoods, protection of natural resources, transparency, and justice.

They warned that if their legitimate demands were not addressed immediately, they would expand the scope of democratic, legal, and peaceful protests in cooperation with the fishermen community across Sindh.

Fishermen leaders Somar Lohar, Mehar Dandal, Haji Muhammad Bakhsh Mallah, Allah Bachayo Mallah, Fateh Khan Mallah, Farooq Sheikh, and a large number of other fishermen were also present on the occasion.

Photo Caption

Badin: Office-bearers of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, District Badin, and fishermen hold a protest in support of their demands and address a press conference at the Badin Press Club.