HYDERABAD: October 2, 2019. (By Abbas Kassar) Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum took out a people’s caravan against use of coal in Thar to generate electricity which, according to forum was hazardous for human life specially to causing more heat. Rally was taken out from Karachi on 26 September which after travelling various districts of the province reached here Wednesday. It was led by chairman of PFF Muhammad Ali Shah. The participants were chanting slogans against imported and local coal.

 Addressing rally Shah said use of coal was more disastrous for human life that economic benefits. He said the smoke and sparkles arising out of coal. cause diseases among human being which culminates in death of thousands of innocent people apart from pollution of environment.

He said mining of coal and its generation to electricity has destroyed echo system of Tharparkar. Thari people have been deprived of employment and land rights as they have been ejected from their ancient homes and lands. He said in fact construction of coal fired power plants was building death factories. He said climate change is in fact man made issue of environment which was created due to disposing of greenhouse gases.

He said if we have to come out of climate change then we shall have to reduce disposing of greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide which was impossible without climate justice. Others who addressed gathering included Gulab Shah, Mahwish Leghari, Ramzan Mallah, Talib Kachhi, Bilqees, Ruqia, Nasima Gabol and Majeed Mallah.

The caravan demanded to ban coal power plants; to stop importing coal through ocean belt; to stop unemployment of fishermen by building coal power plants on coastal belt of Sindh and Balochistan.

They also demanded to provide jobs to Thari people at Thar coal mining power plants. They asked federal and provincial government to formulate police based on climate justice and to take steps to protect forests in Sindh and more plantation.