Islamabad 20 July: In a major step toward developing Pakistan’s blue economy, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has announced the establishment of a Rs3 billion aquaculture park at Korangi Fish Harbour.
Spanning 120 acres, the state-of-the-art facility aims to produce between 360 to 1,200 tons of seafood annually, generating estimated revenues of $720,000 to $7.2 million based on species selection and farming intensity.
According to the press release, the announcement was made during a high-level meeting focused on marine sector development. The session was attended by senior officials, including Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Noorul Haq Baloch, representatives from the Korangi Fish Harbour Authority (KoFHA), Marine Fisheries Department (MFD), and the Balochistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The project, to be implemented through a public-private partnership, is designed to support sustainable aquaculture practices and expand Pakistan’s marine production capacity. Experts highlighted the country’s coastal potential for cultivating a wide range of marine species, positioning Pakistan as a competitive player in regional seafood markets.
Minister Chaudhry underscored the need to replicate the aquaculture model in Balochistan, leveraging its extensive coastline. He instructed KoFHA to submit a detailed execution report within 10 days to fast-track the project.
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In a related development, the Minister announced the relocation of the Marine Fisheries Department’s sub-office to the Gwadar Port Authority to improve coordination on blue economy initiatives.
Separately, Minister Chaudhry also reviewed progress on land allotment and lease policies for the Port Qasim Authority (PQA), with updates indicating that the Survey of Pakistan is now engaged in identifying PQA-owned land for integration into the revised National Ports Master Plan.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to sustainable marine development, the Minister said that investments in aquaculture and port infrastructure are essential to ensuring food security, enhancing exports, and creating jobs across coastal areas. The aquaculture park marks a pivotal initiative under Pakistan’s broader maritime development strategy.
