GWADAR: The leader of Gwadar Ko Haq Do Tehreek, Maulana Hidayatur Rehman, has said that illegal fishing near Makran coast has come down because of strict steps taken by the authorities.

       Maulana Rehman was talking to journalists here on Wednesday after attending a meeting which reviewed point-to-point progress and implementation of the agreement reached between the government and the protestors last week.

       Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Jameel Ahmed Baloch presided over the meeting.

       Protest slated for Dec 30 at Zero Point postponed for one week

       The Maulana, however, said that there were reports of presence of illegal fishing boats and vessels in Ormara and Pasni area and authorities there took immediate action after the chief minister and top officials concerned were informed about them.

       Maulana Rehman said that the fishermen of the area had earlier decided to stage a demonstration against the presence of illegal boats and vessels, but after an assurance by senior officials, they put off the protest.

       Maulana Rehman, who has been elected provincial general secretary of Jamaat-i-Islami for another term of three years after conducting a successful sit-in in Gwadar, said that he had postponed the protest announced for Dec 30 at Zero Point for one week.

       Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2021