TANVEER AHMED

KARACHI: Federal Government will review the deep sea fishing policy with the consultation of all stakeholders by keeping the new deep sea policy in abeyance.

Federal Government informed Sindh High Court (SHC) in response to a petition, filed by Fishermen Cooperative Society against the new deep sea fishing, which allowed foreign fishing trawlers to fish utpo 200 nautical miles in the country’s sea waters.

According to order of SHC, the Deputy Attorney General submitted the reply of the federal government that it has kept in abeyance the implementation of new deep sea policy as they are going to review it with the consultation of all stakeholders.

Latif Khosa Advocate appeared on behalf of petitioner, who submitted in the court that new deep sea fishing policy caused Rs 10 billion loss to national exchequer and told the court that federal government had promised verbally with the local fishermen about the suspending the new deep sea fishing policy.

However, he told the court that foreign fishing trawlers are fishing in the country’s sea waters despite the commitment of the government with the local fishermen.

Deputy Director Marine Fisheries Department (MFD) appeared in the court. Court expressed annoyance over his ignorance about suspending the new deep sea policy and remarked that despite being responsible official of department, you were ignorant about the policy suspension.

Deputy Attorney General appeared in the court at its directives and told it that new deep sea policy has been kept in abeyance and federal government will review it with the consultation of all stakeholders.

At the reply of the Deputy Attorney General, court ruled that his statement has been made part of the court’s record and stated that federal government may file any comments through Deputy Attorney General before the commencing the hearing of the petition on December 21, 2018.