Islamabad, April 19 (NationPress) The Pakistani government has enacted night fishing bans in the coastal district of Gwadar, Balochistan, exacerbating the challenges faced by local fishermen whose livelihoods are already jeopardized by ongoing restrictions, as reported by local media.

The authorities have attributed these bans to the current security situation.

According to directives from the fisheries department, fishing is now banned within a one nautical mile radius from the coastline, including the port area, the Gwadar Red Zone, and regions adjacent to the Pakistan Coast Guard's facility.

Officials have stated that fishermen are prohibited from operating in these designated zones during nighttime hours, as noted by The Balochistan Post.

Local fishermen have criticized the ban, arguing that their financial stability is already threatened by prior restrictions linked to security measures. They expressed concerns that this latest ban will further deteriorate their economic situation. One fisherman shared his dismay, saying, "We are already struggling due to earlier restrictions. This ban will further worsen our financial conditions," as reported by The Balochistan Post.

He also urged authorities to take action against illegal trawling, which he characterized as a significant threat to their livelihoods.

The authorities further instructed fishermen to carry relevant documentation while at sea and to comply with directives from security personnel. They warned that any violations would lead to legal consequences under applicable laws, as mentioned in the report.

This decision follows the Baloch Liberation Army's (BLA) announcement of a new naval unit, the Hammal Maritime Defence Force (HMDF). Recently, three coast guard personnel lost their lives in an attack attributed to the BLA's naval forces near the Gwadar coast.

In response, security protocols have been heightened throughout Gwadar and neighboring areas. Numerous checkpoints have been established, and military and police presence has been intensified, as reported by local sources.

Government buildings, Gwadar port, and other critical infrastructure are under close surveillance amid fears of potential attacks from the BLA. However, no official warning regarding this threat has been communicated.

In the meantime, residents have reported that several local men have been detained during these operations by Pakistani authorities, with their current status remaining unknown.

This situation contributes to the alarming trend of forcible disappearances involving local individuals at the hands of Pakistani forces across Balochistan.