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Express Tribune
3 days ago
- General
- Express Tribune
Bodies of four missing fishermen recovered off Gwadar coast
Listen to article Authorities on Sunday recovered four more bodies from a fishing boat that capsized near Gwadar, bringing the total death toll to five. The boat, carrying six fishermen from Karachi, sank due to strong winds and rough waves in the Arabian Sea earlier this week. The deceased include Ayub, a resident of Ibrahim Hyderi, whose body was recovered a day earlier and laid to rest on Sunday. His son Zeeshan, also among the victims, is expected to be brought to Karachi from Gwadar by Monday night. The remaining three victims, identified as residents of Machar Colony, were also transported to the city for burial. One fisherman miraculously survived the incident. Read More: One dead, several missing as boat sinks near Gwadar Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) media coordinator Kamal Shah confirmed that six fishermen were on board at the time of the accident. 'Five have died while one survived,' he said. PFF Chairman Mehran Ali Shah, speaking to media at Ayub's funeral, said the fishing community faces daily risks at sea to provide for their families. 'When they are unable to fish, they are left with hunger and poverty,' he added. He demanded the Sindh government set up rescue centres along the coast and provide speedboats to ensure timely responses during maritime emergencies. Shah also urged the Fishermen Cooperative Society and relevant authorities to offer immediate financial aid to the victims' families. 'Sindh's fishermen contribute over Rs24 billion in taxes annually. It's time the government invests in their safety,' he said.
Express Tribune
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Stay away from Indian waters, fishermen warned
In light of India's baseless allegations and its recent military defeat against Pakistan, authorities have issued strong advisory to fishermen in Thatta, urging them to exercise extreme caution near the Pakistan-India maritime border. The official statement warned that given the prevailing hostility, India may resort to deceitful actions, including provocations or false flag operations. Fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing close to the maritime boundary or crossing into Indian waters, particularly in the disputed creek areas. The advisory highlighted the serious risks of Indian security forces detaining Pakistani fishermen and falsely accusing them of sabotage or terrorism, which could lead to unnecessary diplomatic tensions. Fishermen have been urged to prioritise their safety, avoid the Indian creeks, and refrain from any actions that could endanger their livelihood or well-being. According to Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) as many as 100 innocent Pakistani fishermen are currently held in Indian jails under allegations of violating maritime boundaries. These detained fishermen belong to Thatta, Sujawal, Jati, Keti Bunder, and many areas in Karachi.
Express Tribune
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Moot urges child-focused climate action
Youth took centre stage at the Youth Convention: Climate Change and Role of Youth, where Obun2, in partnership with Terre des Hommes and civil society allies, unveiled its landmark report "The Impact of Climate Change on Children in Pakistan." The two-day convention, held at Beach Luxury Hotel, brought together youth leaders, climate activists, policymakers, and researchers from across the country. Organised by the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF), in collaboration with An Association for Rural Development (DevCon), the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC), and the Gender and Empowerment Organisation (GEO), the event underscored the urgent need for child-focused climate action, with a central theme highlighting the critical role of youth in climate resilience and advocacy. Alarming impact on Pakistan's children The report, authored by researcher Javeria Khan, paints a stark picture of how climate change is disproportionately affecting Pakistan's children and most vulnerable; with 33 million people affected by 2022 floods, half of them children; 26,600 schools destroyed, disrupting education for over two million students; 154,000 child deaths in 2019 linked to air pollution; 119 per cent increase in child marriages in flood-hit regions; 11 million children exposed to toxic smog in 2024; only three per cent of children have access to disaster preparedness education. "These numbers are not just statistics. They represent lives disrupted, futures derailed, and rights denied," said Executive Director of Obun2, Qindeel Shujaat. "We must act now to build a future where every child is safe, educated, and empowered to fight climate change." Voices for a sustainable tomorrow Speakers across sectors called for urgent, youth-led climate action. "We are proud to stand with Pakistan's youth," said Country Head of Terre des Hommes, Salam Dharejo. "They have the ideas, energy, and vision to lead the climate movement. Let's empower them with the tools and support they need." Chairman of Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, Mehran Ali Shah,, echoed this, stating "we trust in our youth. They are already facing the consequences of climate inaction. It's time they lead the solutions." Meanwhile, Chairman of Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC), Iqbal Detho, connected environmental degradation to human rights, noting that "climate change is not just an ecological issue; it is a matter of justice, survival, and dignity, especially for children." Representing the Sindh Directorate of Climate Change, Ayhan Mustafa Bhutto, stressed the need for innovation. "We encourage young people to come forward with solutions. The government must become an enabler, not a bystander." Key policy recommendations To address the growing crisis, the report recommends bold action, including the establishment of a Child Climate Fund for local adaptation and mitigation; investing in climate-resilient schools and infrastructure; integrating climate education into national curricula; expanding mental health and psychosocial support in disaster zones; and partnering with private sector and global organisations for child-focused resilience programmes Convention highlights The convention featured youth-led panels, interactive exhibits, storytelling sessions, and policy dialogues. Young participants shared innovative ideas ranging from clean energy solutions to community-based climate adaptation. "This is not just a convention," said one youth participant. "It's a movement. We are the generation that will live through the worst of climate change, if we don't change course now." The event concluded with a call for immediate government action, with attendees demanding the incorporation of the report's recommendations into Pakistan's national climate policies and education strategies. Obun2 distributed printed and digital copies of the report to policymakers, media, and civil society actors, with support from the portal. Obun2 is a Pakistan-based organisation dedicated to advancing child rights, human rights, and climate justice through evidence-based research, advocacy, and partnerships with public institutions.
Express Tribune
05-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Fishermen oppose 'national fisheries policy'
The fishermen community has strongly criticised and opposed the formation of fisheries policy at national level, stating that fisheries is clearly a provincial subject, therefore, only provinces can formulate any policy about fishing sector. Talking to The Express Tribune, Chairperson of Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, Mustafa Mirani said that they have learnt through media that the authorities in the federal government are engaged in formulating a national level fisheries policy. He said that the fishermen community is main stakeholder of fisheries sector but they are not consulted before drafting this policy. "We will not accept any policy that is made against our interests," he warned. It is pertinent to mention that the federal government has circulated a draft of the 'National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy 2025-35' with provincial governments including Sindh and Balochistan. Provincial Secretary for Fisheries and Livestock, Sindh, Kazim Hussain Jatoi confirmed this and informed The Express Tribune that the Sindh government was still preparing its feedback to the proposed policy. According to the proposed policy the federal government shall establish an apex council namely 'Pakistan Fisheries and Aquaculture Council (PFAC)' comprising relevant stakeholders from the centre and the provinces. It will propose amendments to the fisheries policy and legislation to resolve issues in federal-provincial context of fisheries and aquaculture governance. In this draft the Sindh and Balochistan governments are advised to register and regularise all the existing informal unauthorised private jetties and landing sites through specific law, rules and guidelines. "Annual tax, rent and fee will be levied on all such jetties and landing sites for the structure erected inside sea (starting from high water mark)," it stated. According to the draft the Mercantile Marine Department shall register every vessel, except merchant and cargo ships, which intends to operate in country's waters. "The governments of the coastal provinces of Sindh and Balochistan are advised to complement their efforts in establishing a country-level integrated and coherent 'Central Digital Register' for sea-going fishing vessels and harbour crafts by the MMD of the federal government which shall have devolved system arrangements for registration processing at provincial level," it stated. According to the draft, the federal government, in consultation with provincial governments of Sindh and Balochistan, shall rationalise 'One-Licence System' along with 'Benefit Sharing Mechanism' for co-management of capture fisheries in all fishing zones in marine waters of Pakistan including certification for nakhuda and crew. It has also been proposed in the draft that there will be three months ban on fishing, from June to August, instead of existing two months, at sea and in freshwater resources. According to the proposed policy, the federal and provincial governments shall develop and implement dedicated rules to reform or describe the role and governance mechanism regarding social organisational setups like fisheries cooperative societies.
Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
City safe from 'Shakti'
The low-pressure system in the eastern central Arabian Sea has intensified. The met office has stated that the system, currently 985 kilometers away from Karachi, could develop into a strong depression within the next 24 hours. If it becomes a cyclone, it will be named Shakti by Sri Lanka. The system is expected to move northwards towards India, and currently, there is no threat to the Pakistani coastline. The weatherman expects the system to intensify into a strong depression in the next 24 hours due to favorable environmental conditions. The Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum has appealed to fishermen not to venture into the open sea, citing safety concerns due to high tides. The forum's spokesperson, Kamal Shah, said that fishermen are being continuously informed through radio transmissions to avoid the open sea for the next few days, considering the potential proximity of the system to Karachi and Sindh's coastal areas.
