Hunger week against Brutal price rise

Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum
12 June 2008

Continuous rising prices of food and increasing graph of poverty and unemployment have driven the fishers of coastal areas of Pakistan up to the wall. They are compelled to live but to live hunger and poverty ridden lives. Keeping in view the fishers' marginalized state, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum announced to observe a hunger week which started on 26th May and ended on 31st June, 2008.

On the first day, one kilometer pedestrian march was held from Dabla village to Rehri Goth in Ibrahim Hyderi Karachi. The march attended by hundreds of men, women and children was led by Tahira Ali Shah, senior vice chairperson PFF, Akhtar Sheikh, Nawaz Dablo and Khadim Panhwar. The marchers had placards and banners in their hands. On which slogans were written to: 'End inflation, reduce food prices, ensure access to consumable food, save the fishers from hunger and poverty and raise prices of fish'. The marchers sat in in-front of Rehri Union Council.

On the occasion, Tahira Ali Shah addressed the marchers and said that the country has been engulfed into a series of protests by Lawyers, shortage of food, continuous load shedding, absence of law & order and uncertain political situation. These conditions have increased the level of poverty and inflation that have not only shattered poor people in urban areas but it has crushed the fishers' socio-economic lives. It is the mere poor who knows the brunt of poverty.

She said that on the one hand due marine pollution and excessive fishing in the sea by using lethal nets, the fishers do not bring much fish from the sea and on top of that flour, which a few days ago was 28, is not sold from Rs38. Many fishers have stopped their boats at the bank due to higher oil prices. The fish catch from the sea does not get good prices in the market, molders take the benefits. This all has broken the fisher badly and put them into unending vicious circle of poverty.

Tahira Ali demanded the government to control the prices and provide relief to poor. Besides, government should announce such schemes that directly benefit to the fishers.

On the occasion, Khadim Panhwar said that PFF in join venture with ActionAid Pakistan is observing a hunger week. During this week tableaus and corner meetings will be organized to aware the fishers and other communities about their role and how a positive role they can play which further can push the government to control the increasing poverty and hunger. He added that if government does not take prompt actions to control inflation and poverty then there are greater possibilities that public may become violent and march towards posh areas.