Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, announced the establishment of a state-of-the-art Aquaculture Park at Korangi Fish Harbour (KoFHAH), Karachi, at an estimated cost of 3 billion rupees. The Minister made the announcement while chairing a high-level meeting on the development of the blue economy, attended by Chairman Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) Noorul Haq Baloch, representatives from the Korangi Fish Harbour Authority (KoFHAH), the Marine Fisheries Department (MFD), and the Balochistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The estimated annual production of a 120-acre aquaculture park ranges from 360 to 1,200 tons, depending on the species cultivated and the farming system employed. Its yearly revenue potential is projected to be between $720,000 and $7.2 million, influenced by species selection, market prices, and production intensity.
The Minister stated that the project, spanning 120 acres, should be developed under a public-private partnership framework, aiming to enhance the country’s blue economy through sustainable aquaculture.
The meeting was informed that the land cost for the Aquaculture Park has been determined based on an extensive farming model, providing an affordable and efficient foundation for private investors.
Experts informed the meeting that Pakistan’s coastal waters possess highly conducive conditions for aquaculture, providing an ideal environment for farming a variety of marine species. To accelerate the process, the Federal Minister directed the Korangi Fish Harbour Authority to submit a comprehensive execution report within 10 days.
Emphasizing replication of success, the Minister proposed extending the aquaculture model to Balochistan, leveraging its vast coastal belt for sustainable marine farming.
In a move aimed at enhancing coordination, the Minister ordered the relocation of the Marine Fisheries Department sub-office to the premises of the Gwadar Port Authority. This administrative shift is expected to streamline inter-agency collaboration and expedite decision-making in blue economy initiatives.
In a separate meeting, the Federal Minister also reviewed the progress on the land allotment and lease policy of the Port Qasim Authority (PQA). Officials informed him that the Survey of Pakistan has been engaged to identify and demarcate PQA-owned land. Furthermore, it was conveyed that the revision of PQA’s master plan is being aligned with the broader feasibility study for the National Ports Master Plan, currently underway.
Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting sustainable marine development, emphasizing that investments in aquaculture and port infrastructure are crucial for ensuring food security, boosting exports, and creating employment opportunities across coastal regions.
The series of meetings held by the Maritime Minister marks 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.
