Scores of fishermen from various areas gathered at DC Chowk in Badin to protest against government injustices, demanding an end to the mistreatment they face.

The protesters, organized by the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF), warned that if authorities do not address their grievances, they would escalate their protests across Sindh, according to a PFF press release.

During the sit-in, PFF Chairman Mehran Ali Shah expressed the determination of the fishermen, stating, ‘Enough is enough. We are native people. We own the fresh and salt waters. We will fight for our rights and die for them.’

The PFF leadership accused the provincial government of threatening to dissolve their organization and imposing obstacles on the fishermen’s activities. Shah revealed that: ‘They want to silence us and prevent us from raising our voices against their atrocities.’

The protest was specifically aimed at addressing the illegal occupation of Kakaho Lake in the Sanghar district and other bodies of water by feudal lords in the coastal region.

The protesters voiced their concerns over Punjab’s controversial plan to construct six canals on the Indus River, with Shah warning that this issue is a matter of life and death for the people of Sindh. ‘The fishermen community will not tolerate this if such plans are initiated,’ he declared amid chants from the crowd.

Participants also criticized the Sindh government for its weak response to the proposed canals, urging it to recognize fishermen as laborers. They emphasized that their contributions to revenue generation have been undervalued and overlooked.

PFF senior Vice Chairman Yasmeen Shah pointed out that despite prior assurances, the Sindh government has failed to address their concerns. ‘Our lakes are occupied. The minister Najmi Alam only makes false claims to distract us. The Sindh government resorts to threats when we demand our rights,’ he stated, asserting their resolve not to back down.

Other speakers, including Umar Mallah and several others, addressed the rally, which saw both men and women in attendance. They warned the government to prepare for future strategies if their genuine demands are not met, emphasizing, ‘We demand what is our right.’

Fishermen from Sanghar, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Karachi, Thatta, Sujawal and other parts of Sindh province also participated in the rally.