Sindh Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Muhammad Ali Malkani, has urged the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) to nominate representatives for inclusion in the advisory bodies of the Livestock and Fisheries Department. This initiative, he stated, would enable KCCI to actively participate in policy-making and contribute valuable input toward future planning and development of the sector.

During his visit to the Karachi Chamber, the Minister highlighted the immense investment potential in the livestock and fisheries sectors, describing them as some of the most promising avenues for rapid returns on investment. “Livestock is the only sector that guarantees a return on investment within six months, something unmatched by any other industry or business”, he asserted. He invited KCCI members to explore this sector, emphasizing its strategic importance for both economic growth and rural development.

Senior Vice President Zia ul Arfeen, Vice President Faisal Khalil Ahmed, Former President Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra, Former SVP Altaf Ghaffar, Former Vice President Rehan Hanif, Chairman Agronomy, Agriculture, Fisheries & Poultry Subcommittee Nausherwan Haider, and others also attended the meeting.

Muhammad Ali Malkani emphasized the urgent need to shift the focus toward aquaculture, particularly as fish stocks in the ocean are rapidly declining. “Many businesspeople have already ventured into successful fish and shrimp farming,” he noted. “We need to expand these efforts and transition toward sustainable aquaculture practices.”

Pointing out the tremendous opportunities in poultry, fisheries, and shrimp farming, he cited neighboring India’s success in capitalizing on these areas, which has significantly boosted their exports. In contrast, Pakistan’s marine and aquaculture exports remain limited to under US$500 million annually. “There is vast untapped potential in these sub-sectors, and with the right investments, we can greatly enhance our export capacity,” he said.

He further encouraged investors to look beyond short-term ventures such as trading in sacrificial animals, and instead consider long-term investments in meat farming and shrimp cultivation. “The Sindh government is fully prepared to extend technical assistance and all necessary support to investors in these areas,” he said. “Such efforts will not only help boost exports but also play a significant role in alleviating poverty in rural regions where farming facilities are established.”

Chairman of the Businessmen Group (BMG), Zubair Motiwala, who participated in the meeting via Zoom, emphasized the need to prioritize and promote fish farming in Sindh, which holds immense potential for employment generation and boosting fisheries exports. He noted that fish farming offers a high return on investment with relatively less effort, provided that adequate water resources, government support, and financial backing are made available.

He pointed out that there are several promising locations in Sindh, including Keti Bunder and other fertile coastal areas, that are ideally suited for establishing fish and shrimp farming facilities. He stressed the importance of raising awareness about the profitability and potential of fish and shrimp farming, particularly as private investment remains heavily concentrated in the textile sector.

Highlighting the transformative impact that such investment could have on the socio-economic conditions of Sindh’s coastal population, he urged a greater focus and allocation of resources towards aquaculture. He expressed confidence in the capabilities of Minister Muhammad Ali Malkani, describing him as a committed and action-oriented leader who is well-positioned to deliver tangible results. In this regard, he recommended that KCCI maintain close coordination and liaison with the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to support and advance this important sector.

Earlier, Senior Vice President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Zia ul Arfeen, while welcoming the Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, underscored the immense yet largely untapped potential of Pakistan’s blue economy. He noted that, despite possessing a vast coastal belt of over 1,000 kilometers, Pakistan has failed to fully utilize its aquatic resources. Marine exports currently stand at a modest US$350 million, a figure that pales in comparison to countries like India, China, and Vietnam, which have developed strong, export-oriented marine industries.

He emphasized that the livestock sector also holds a vital position in Pakistan’s agriculture-driven economy, contributing approximately 14.97 percent to the national GDP. Livestock farming supports nearly 8 million rural households, serving as a critical source of nutrition, income, and employment, particularly in underdeveloped areas. With milk production reaching 72.34 million tons, a 3.24 percent increase from the previous year, Pakistan has emerged as the world’s fifth-largest milk producer.

Zia ul Arfeen also drew attention to several challenges hampering the growth of the livestock and fisheries sectors. These include unregulated practices leading to depletion of marine stocks, lack of coordination between federal and provincial bodies, outdated fishing vessels, poor storage infrastructure, and limited processing capacity, all of which contribute to the country’s underwhelming marine export performance. Additionally, the failure to comply with sanitary and phytosanitary standards required by the EU and US markets has significantly limited access to premium export destinations.

He further pointed out that environmental issues, such as coastal pollution, the impacts of climate change, and unaddressed concerns in aquaculture, are exacerbating the decline in the fisheries and maritime sectors.