Hundreds of Pakistani fishermen of two-tiny islands of Keamari on Friday evening staged a stationary protest, at Karachi Press Club, against “harassment” by maritime departments and to express inability to pay “hefty” fixed taxes amid declining fishing activities. The protestors, carrying banners and placards, were chanting their demands for restoration of electricity to the islands – Baba and Bhit, and an end to the “strictest” scrutiny of fishermen’s documents by several agencies at sea.
“We were compelled to stage the protest against the government’s unequal taxation policies and harassment by maritime departments on the pretext of documents checking,” a fisherman, Muhammad Hussain, told Business Recorder. He said the fishermen are facing several problems including hefty taxes levied by the government. “We want one-window operation for fishermen instead of clearing our boats and crew documents from each of the departments inside Karachi seaport navigational channel,” he said.
At present, he said, fishermen of both islands are forced to sail first to check post set up inside water channel including the Coast Guards, Maritime Security Agency, Karachi Port Trust and Customs to clear their documents. “While coming back we have to do the same exercise.
Talking to Business Recorder, President Native Islander Fishermen Association (Nifa), Asif Bhatti said “the fishermen are scared of agencies harshest documents scrutiny as at least 15-20 boats are forced to go back to moorages for incomplete documents”. He said, that the fishermen are not against paying taxes to the government but just want consultation with the revenue collectors to know the taxation system. Hussain said the fishermen are paying more taxes in different heads than anyone else in the country.
Should the fishermen pay income tax if the fisheries is part of the agriculture sector, he asked, saying there is no one in the community to help the seafarers understand their legal rights. “We want to pay taxes like any one else in the country but there should be no discrimination between the poor fishermen and rich ones. Taxes should be different as per the earning of fishermen,” he said, adding that at present big and small boat owners are forced to pay equal taxes, no matter who earns more. He said the He requested the government for a better taxation system to protect the fishermen.
Business Recorder, 2013