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Scroll.in
6 days ago
- Business
- Scroll.in
Israel-Iran conflict grounds Pakistan's fishing industry
'When our boats are stranded onshore, our kitchens remain empty,' says Lateefa Nasir. 'My children haven't been to school for a month and we live on loans now.' Nasir is a member and beneficiary of the Ormara Cooperative Society, a local nonprofit advocating for the improvement of fishers' livelihoods and welfare. She and her family live in Ormara, a town in Gwadar district, along the coast of Pakistan's south-western Balochistan province. Her husband is a fisher and like many fishing households in the area they are in crisis due to the Iran-Israel conflict. The war has led Pakistan to close its border with Iran, disrupting both the inflow of fuel and the export of fish. This double blow has crippled fishing communities already suffering from the impacts of climate change and overfishing. Balochistan boasts an approximately 770km coastline along the Arabian Sea which plays a significant role in the country's fisheries. Allaudin Kakkar, a senior official from the Balochistan Fisheries and Coastal Development Department, told Dialogue Earth that the province's fishers contribute around 340,000 tonnes of catch annually, with a market value of nearly PKR 19.9 billion (USD 70.1 million). This includes high-value species such as tuna, Spanish mackerel, croaker, Indian oil sardine, and Indian mackerel. With over 16,000 registered and 6,000 smaller, unregistered boats operating in its waters, fishing provides livelihoods to tens of thousands of families in the province. 'Despite this valuable contribution, the sector remains poorly regulated, underfunded, and deeply exposed to external shocks,' says Kakkar. Such a shock arrived when tensions escalated between Iran and Israel during the 12-day war. Before the conflict, fishers relied heavily on Iranian petrol and diesel, which although imported illegally by smugglers, was both affordable and easily accessible. With the closure of the borders, which remains despite a ceasefire, this supply chain collapsed. Now, fuel is either unavailable or sold at PKR 180-200 (USD 0.63-0.70) per litre instead of the PKR 150 ($0.53) it cost before, notes Shams ul Haq Kalmati, chair of the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce. A local source told Dialogue Earth that daily imports of Iranian fuel into Balochistan have plummeted from 600,000 to 140,000 barrels. Other local sources say that before the border closed, more than 300 large oil depots, 1,000 pumps and 2,000 shops were almost exclusively selling Iranian fuel in the port city of Gwadar and surrounding areas, with only two pumps that sold Pakistani petrol. Despite these developments, Gwadar deputy commissioner Hamood Ur Rehman maintains that there is no major problem and the situation has normalised. Impact on the industry 'This crisis is not only economic, it's ecological as well,' warns Muhammad Moazzam Khan, technical adviser on marine issues at WWF-Pakistan. He fears that the sudden halt in fishing due to the fuel-price increase, especially the catching of top predatory fish such as tuna, could disturb the balance of the marine ecosystem. The current geopolitical tension is severely impacting Pakistan's coastal and pelagic fisheries, particularly tuna, says Khan. Every year, Pakistani fishers harvest approximately 50 to 60 tonnes of tuna and tuna-like species, most of which is sold directly to Iran. Although this export is illegal, like the fuel that moves in the opposite direction, the fish fetch high prices over the border. Balochistan tuna is generally not high enough quality for most international markets, says Khan, leaving Iran one of the few places willing to pay well for it. Iran offers prices ranging from PKR 300 to 700 ($1.06-$2.47) per kg, and the total annual value of this export trade is estimated at around PKR 15-35 million ($52,900-$123,300). 'Without access to the Iranian market, the entire tuna fishery is on the brink of collapse, threatening both income and employment for the affected communities,' says Khan. Tahir Rasheed agrees. He is the CEO of Balochistan Rural Support Programme, an NGO that supports rural poor and marginalised people in the province. 'Most of the tuna and other commercial [fish] are exported from Balochistan to Iran through barter trade, where fishers often exchange their catch, including tuna, for petrol and diesel,' says Rasheed. The barter trade typically operates through Iranian speedboats that are registered in both Iran and Pakistan. They obtain fish from Pakistani fishers by journeying offshore to locations around the border of the two countries, as well as landing sites in Balochistan such as Gwader and Jiwani. Poor fishers, now poorer In addition to tuna sales, the swim bladders of some fish caught in the region are sought after as a delicacy in East and Southeast Asian markets. With fuel prices surging due to the border closure leading to higher land and sea transportation costs, thousands of kilograms of high-value fresh catch are going unsold. The domestic market is too weak to absorb the surplus, and cold-storage facilities are extremely limited, especially in remote coastal towns, notes Nakuda Dad Karim, a fisher from Gwadar. A lack of ways to preserve fish for exports – such as canning or freezing – means the crisis is rippling through the Balochistan economy. 'Without formal trade routes or preservation infrastructure, the entire supply chain is collapsing,' says Kalmati. 'Ice factories, fish transporters, fish-processing owners, boat mechanics … everyone is affected. This isn't just a fisheries crisis. It's a full-blown economic emergency.' All this has further depressed the price for fishers' catches. 'I have been going to sea for over 40 years,' says Karim. 'But I have never seen it this bad. We used to spend PKR 15,000 ($53) on a trip and return with enough fish to make a small profit. Fuel cost alone has now exceeded PKR 30,000 ($106) and we can't even sell our catch at a good price. Each trip feels like gambling our future.' Many like Nakuda Dad Karim are now struggling to feed their families. His younger son, a crew member on the same boat as him, is considering moving to construction work, where prospects are better. Jumait Jangir Baloch is a fisher and 'mole holder' – someone who is certified as a fish trader by the government – in Gwadar. 'Some of us have stopped going to sea. It's not worth the loss,' he says. 'We used to sell Spanish mackerel, barracuda, large croakers, and tuna to Iranian buyers. They paid us good rates in cash. Now, no one is buying, and even local traders offer half the price.' On land, women suffer While those who go to sea are mainly men, women are also affected by the crisis. 'Women here don't fish, but we grade, dry and sell them,' explains Haleema Baloch from Gwadar, who does such work. 'With [business] down, we are losing our wages.' Fuel prices and the collapsing export market for catches have stopped many boats going to sea, depriving coastal communities of the cheaper fish they relied on for food and jobs. Talib Katchi from the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, a nonprofit advocating for fisher communities, tells Dialogue Earth that communities are losing sustenance as well as money. Women who work as independent fish retailers 'can no longer buy affordable species like sardines and Indian mackerel, cutting off food access for low-income communities', he says. 'Women in fish processing are facing wage cuts, and small vendors can't find cheap fish to sell,' adds Sami Gull, general secretary of the Fisherfolk Cooperative Society, Gwadar. 'The poor can't afford poultry or meat either. If this continues, it could trigger a serious food security and nutrition crisis.' Kalmati, of the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce, wants federal and provincial governments to intervene swiftly with fuel subsidies and reopen the border to properly regulated trade. Provincial official Kakkar acknowledges the severity of the crisis. 'We've submitted a proposal for a PKR 380 million ($1.34 million) endowment fund to support emergency fuel subsidies, welfare schemes, and compensation for affected fishermen,' he says. Rasheed, from the Balochistan Rural Support Programme, says that with cold-storage and canning facilities and other modern infrastructure, the province could transform its fishing industry into a lucrative export sector. This would reduce dependency on bartering and boost the economy. But 'we must act quickly', he says. Balochistan's fishing industry, once a pillar of its coastal economy, teeters on the edge. Without swift and coordinated action, its collapse could reverberate far beyond its shores. Shabina Faraz is an award-winning environmental journalist with more than 20 years of experience in journalism. She writes for BBC Urdu, The Third Pole and Pakistani newspaper Dawn, and has worked as an editor at monthly magazine Jareeda, published by IUCN Pakistan. Her X handle is @Shabinafaraz Abdul Rahim is an environmental journalist who contributes to national and international platforms including The Express Tribune, Dialogue Earth, and various environmental magazines. He has collaborated with IUCN on conservation reporting and environmental management initiatives. His X handle is @rahimgwd.
Express Tribune
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
MPs decry 'unlivable' Parliament Lodges
Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, found himself in an uncomfortable and difficult position on Friday as several senators expressed strong frustration over the deteriorating condition of the Parliament Lodges during a meeting of the Senate House Committee. Lawmakers, visibly upset, raised multiple complaints with the minister, criticising the appalling state of infrastructure, lack of maintenance, and overall mismanagement at the lodges. Chaudhry too voiced his concerns, saying, "I'm personally troubled by a female parliamentarian living upstairs who has installed water taps in the stairwell. Someone, please have those taps removed." It was disclosed during the meeting that not even a single light bulb has been replaced in two years, while a former female senator left Parliament Lodges without paying Rs1.7 million in outstanding electricity and gas bills. The Senate House Committee meeting was chaired by Deputy Chairman Senate Syedaal Khan Nasar. During the session, Minister Talal Chaudhry responded to senators' questions. Capital Development Authority (CDA) officials briefed the committee, stating they had received 48 requests from parliamentarians for repairs, AC installations, and other work at the lodges, claiming work is underway and being carried out in line with PPRA rules. They added that 12-13 suites have been made habitable. However, Senator Kamil Ali Agha rejected the CDA's presentation, calling it "completely false." He alleged that no actual work is being done. Chairman Nasir said that action would be taken against those who haven't completed work in the past 16 months. Senator Poonjo Mal Bheel too complained that the sanitation system in Parliament Lodges is practically nonexistent, with visible filth everywhere. While the CDA DG is polite, he said, their performance is "zero." Minister Talal Chaudhry added that the Interior Minister has already suggested to the National Assembly Speaker that if CDA cannot do the job, the responsibility should be handed over to another agency. Work on 104 lodges is about to begin, and if funds are released, it will be completed in six months. "Contractors haven't been paid in two years. Following the Speaker's instructions, all senators' lodges will be repaired simultaneously. The tender for 104 lodges will be issued within two days, and lodges must be vacated for four months to carry out the work," he said. Senator Khalil Tahir Sindhu raised another concern, stating that his lodge was given to a fellow female senator at the request of the Deputy Chairman. She vacated the premises overnight without paying utility bills worth Rs1.7m — Rs1.3m for electricity and Rs470,000 for gas. "I can't pay this bill," he added. Chairman Nasir responded that she is the daughter of a former Deputy Chairman of the Senate and that he personally asked her to clear the dues.
Scottish Sun
10-07-2025
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
UK weather: Map reveals hottest locations in UK this weekend as Brits to bask in 33C temps, reveals Met Office
See the Met Office map below SUNSHINE MAPPED UK weather: Map reveals hottest locations in UK this weekend as Brits to bask in 33C temps, reveals Met Office Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BRITS are set to bask in more glorious sunshine today ahead of 33C highs over the weekend. A Met Office map shows which parts of the country are in for the hottest temperatures. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 People relaxing in the sunshine in Saint James's Park this week Credit: Alamy 4 Visitors and locals soak up the hot sunny weather at the seaside resort of Lyme Regis Credit: Alamy 4 Met Office meteorologist Clare Nasir said maps show 33C on Saturday Credit: Met Office It comes after the mercury soared to 28C yesterday as the UK hailed the returned of the sunshine after a miserable bout of heavy rain and thunderstorms. Meteorologist Clare Nasir said: "Prepare for some hot conditions as a heatwave returns to the UK." She explained high pressure is building from the south today "allowing for that brighter weather, that sunshine", continuing into tomorrow. "The peak of the heat is likely to be on Saturday, with temperatures climbing into the 30s," added Ms Nasir, with a map showing 33C in the southeast. "A similar situation on Sunday, again with lots of sunshine." A heatwave in the UK is met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days, with temperature values meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature thresholds. Across the north and west of the UK this is 25C, and across Greater London and the Home Counties, 28C. Fellow Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick said: "It's really on Friday that we start to see that widespread heat, and this time once again across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland - but the highest temperatures, once again, across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, parts of the Midlands and also the southwest. "As we head further into the weekend, once again we can really see that intense heat becoming widespread across the country." She described Saturday as "dry, settled and that sunshine is set to be intense", with a "fairly similar picture" on Sunday. Lewis Hamilton and Co face British GP nightmare as weather warning is issued at Silverstone Referring to Sunday, she added: "Temperatures aren't going to be quite as warm, but nevertheless it is still going to be very warm indeed in that sunshine. It comes as a hosepipe ban is due to come into effect tomorrow in Yorkshire after the region saw one of its driest springs on record. The temporary use ban restricts the use of hosepipes to water gardens, washing private vehicles, filling domestic pools or cleaning outdoor surfaces until there's been a "significant rainfall". 5-day weather forecast Today: Cloudy in the north and west, with patchy drizzle at first. Dry for most elsewhere, with sunny intervals. Temperatures widely above average, becoming hot across parts of Southern and Southwestern England and Wales. Tonight: Cloudy with outbreaks of rain in the northwest. Elsewhere, dry with long clear spells, some patchy fog across parts of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Northwest England. Warm. Friday: Dry and sunny widely away from the northwest. Light winds, with temperatures above average for most. Becoming hot across Western England, Eastern Wales and Eastern Scotland. Outlook for Saturday to Monday: Dry with plenty of sunshine. Becoming very warm or hot through the period with some uncomfortable warm nights by the weekend.
The Irish Sun
10-07-2025
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
UK weather: Map reveals hottest locations in UK this weekend as Brits to bask in 33C temps, reveals Met Office
BRITS are set to bask in more glorious sunshine today ahead of 33C highs over the weekend. A Met Office map shows which parts of the country are in for the hottest temperatures. 4 People relaxing in the sunshine in Saint James's Park this week Credit: Alamy 4 Visitors and locals soak up the hot sunny weather at the seaside resort of Lyme Regis Credit: Alamy 4 Met Office meteorologist Clare Nasir said maps show 33C on Saturday Credit: Met Office It comes after the bout of heavy rain and thunderstorms. Meteorologist Clare Nasir said: "Prepare for some hot conditions as a heatwave returns to the UK." She explained high pressure is building from the south today "allowing for that brighter weather, that sunshine", continuing into tomorrow. "The peak of the heat is likely to be on Saturday, with temperatures climbing into the 30s," added Ms Nasir, with a map showing 33C in the southeast. READ MORE NEWS "A similar situation on Sunday, again with lots of sunshine." A heatwave in the UK is met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days, with temperature values meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature thresholds. Across the north and west of the UK this is 25C, and across Greater London and the Home Counties, 28C. Fellow Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick said: "It's really on Friday that we start to see that widespread heat, and this time once again across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland - but the highest temperatures, once again, across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, parts of the Midlands and also the southwest. Most read in The Sun "As we head further into the weekend, once again we can really see that intense heat becoming widespread across the country." She described Saturday as "dry, settled and that sunshine is set to be intense", with a "fairly similar picture" on Sunday. Lewis Hamilton and Co face British GP nightmare as weather warning is issued at Silverstone Referring to Sunday, she added: "Temperatures aren't going to be quite as warm, but nevertheless it is still going to be very warm indeed in that sunshine. It comes as a hosepipe ban is due to come into effect tomorrow in Yorkshire after the region saw one of its driest springs on record. The temporary use ban restricts the use of hosepipes to water gardens, washing private vehicles, filling domestic pools or cleaning outdoor surfaces until there's been a "significant rainfall". 5-day weather forecast Today: Cloudy in the north and west, with patchy drizzle at first. Dry for most elsewhere, with sunny intervals. Temperatures widely above average, becoming hot across parts of Southern and Southwestern England and Wales. Tonight: Cloudy with outbreaks of rain in the northwest. Elsewhere, dry with long clear spells, some patchy fog across parts of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Northwest England. Warm. Friday: Dry and sunny widely away from the northwest. Light winds, with temperatures above average for most. Becoming hot across Western England, Eastern Wales and Eastern Scotland. Outlook for Saturday to Monday: Dry with plenty of sunshine. Becoming very warm or hot through the period with some uncomfortable warm nights by the weekend. 4 Temperatures across the UK on Friday Credit: MET Office
The Star
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Dayang announces new shows to deflect romance rumours
Compiled by DIVYA THERESA RAVI AND C. ARUNO LOCAL celebrities are getting savvier at sidestepping nosy questions about their personal lives, according to Berita Harian. Take singer Dayang Nurfaizah, 44. When pressed about her wedding date during a recent press conference, she simply offered a breezy, 'Pray for the best for me'. This came after social media was abuzz with rumours of her engagement to singer and composer Hael Husaini, who had collaborated with her on three songs. Dayang, whose full name is Dayang Nurfaizah Awang Dowty, steered the conversation away from romance rumours by announcing two upcoming performances of 'Janji With Dayang'. Fans can catch her in Penang on Aug 23 and at the Kuala Lumpur Tower on Sept 27. 'In conjunction with Janji's new album, I have been dreaming of these two events for a long time.' > Music icon Datuk M. Nasir recently shared with Kosmo! Online the profound personal journey of his haj pilgrimage, as he prepares for a rock concert. The 67-year-old spoke of a deep melancholy he experienced during his spiritual journey with his wife Datin Marlia Musa. 'I felt very sad and pensive there; I don't know why. I could only express my feelings by crying,' Nasir revealed. He described the atmosphere in the Holy Land as intensely challenging, demanding immense inner strength to manage his thoughts and feelings to ensure his worship was undisturbed. Despite this deeply personal and spiritual experience, Nasir is now channelling a different energy as he prepares for the 'Datuk M.N46IR Cipta 3' concert at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, on Sept 27. 'Now I'm gathering the rock soul back inside me. I left that genre of songs a long time ago, but the rock soul is still strong.' > Kosmo! Online also reported that Uyaina Arshad, 32, recently took a firm stance against online negativity. The TV host, whose full name is Saidatul Naseha Uyaina Arshad, expressed her disappointment after encountering a particularly harsh comment on Threads. The user had written, 'When it was Uyaina's turn to host, I didn't watch it and just skipped the episode because I couldn't be bothered.' While acknowledging that 'we can't make everyone like us' and that people are entitled to their opinions, Uyaina, 32, stressed the impact of anonymous negativity. The host of Wanita Hari Ini made it clear that while she is open to constructive criticism, she will not tolerate offensive statements. The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a, it denotes a separate news item.
