The Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum is a non-governmental organization that works to advance the goal of social, economic, cultural and political rights of small scale indigenous fisher communities in Pakistan.

On 9 February 2012, the home of human rights defender and chairperson of the Pakistani Fisherfolk Forum (PFF), Mr Muhammad Ali Shah, was cordoned off by members of the Pakistani Rangers following his participation in a peaceful protest in Karachi.

PFF is a non-governmental organisation based in Karachi working to advance the economic, social, cultural and political rights of fishermen and fishing communities in Pakistan.

On 9 February 2012, at around midnight, twenty-five Rangers belonging to the Korangi sector, led by Colonel Jawed, arrived in front of the home of Muhammad Ali Shah in Ibraheem Hyderi in the town of Bin Qasim. The human rights defender was not at home at the time. The Rangers cordoned off the areas around his home and asked neighbours questions about Muhammad Ali Shah in a violent and threatening manner. As more neighbours gathered at the scene the Rangers left.

In the morning of that day, as a sign of solidarity, Muhammad Ali Shah had participated in a protest against unfair and inhumane working conditions organised by the workers of the German garments factory MASCO in Karachi. During the protest, security guards threw objects in order to disperse the crowd, resulting in the hospitalisation of some of the protesters.

Muhammad Ali Shah has been subjected to intimidation and arrest in the past on account of his human rights work, and targeted by both state and non-state actors. Other PFF members have faced serious threats and violence particularly since they began protesting against the clearing of 500,000 hectares of mangrove forests in the coastal towns of Keamari and Bin Qasim, in defence of the villagers' rights. Two PFF members were victims of extrajudicial executions in May 2011.

Front Line Defenders believes that the ongoing intimidation of Muhammad Ali Shah is directly related to his work in defence of human rights, and Front Line Defenders is concerned for his physical and psychological integrity in light of this recent incident.