© KoFHA
The minister made the announcement while chairing a high-level meeting, on the development of blue economy, attended by the chairman of Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), Noorul Haq Baloch, representatives from Korangi Fish Harbour Authority (KoFHAH), the Marine Fisheries Department (MFD) and the Balochistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The proposed aquaculture park will span 120 acres and is estimated to cost 3 billion rupees (€29.5 million). Designed under a public-private partnership model, the project is expected to yield between 360 and 1,200 tonnes of seafood annually, depending on species selection and farming methods.
Officials highlighted that Pakistan’s coastal waters are highly suitable for marine aquaculture, offering favourable conditions for farming a variety of species. The project’s land pricing will be based on an extensive farming model, aimed at encouraging affordable investment from the private sector.
To accelerate development, the minister directed KoFHAH to submit a comprehensive execution plan within 10 days. He also proposed replicating the model in Balochistan to make use of the province’s long coastal belt for sustainable aquaculture initiatives.
In a related move to strengthen institutional coordination, the minister ordered the relocation of the Marine Fisheries Department’s sub-office to the premises of the Gwadar Port Authority, in an effort to streamline inter-agency collaboration and expedite decision-making in blue economy initiatives.
The series of meetings held by maritime minister mark a significant step in the government’s broader maritime development strategy, focused on harnessing the full potential of Pakistan’s coastal resources through innovation, institutional cooperation and private sector engagement.
