Govt to build Rs3b aquaculture park
The federal government has decided to establish a state-of-the-art Aquaculture Park at Korangi Fish Harbour (KoFHAH), Karachi, under a public-private partnership framework aimed at boosting the country's blue economy through sustainable aquaculture.
The project is estimated to cost Rs3 billion. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced the plan while chairing a high-level meeting on the development of the blue economy. The meeting was 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 120-acre aquaculture park is projected to produce between 360 and 1,200 tonnes of marine products annually, depending on the species cultivated and the farming systems used. Revenue potential is estimated between $720,000 and $7.2 million per year, influenced by species selection, market prices, and production intensity. Officials informed the meeting that land costs have been determined based on an extensive farming model, offering an affordable entry point for private investors.
Experts highlighted that Pakistan's coastal waters offer ideal conditions for aquaculture, making them highly suitable for farming a variety of marine species.
To fast-track the initiative, the martime minister directed the Korangi Fish Harbour Authority to submit a comprehensive execution report within 10 days.
Chaudhry also proposed replicating the aquaculture model in Balochistan, leveraging its vast coastal belt for sustainable marine farming.
In a move to improve coordination, the maritime minister ordered the relocation of the Marine Fisheries Department sub-office to the Gwadar Port Authority premises. This administrative shift is expected to streamline inter-agency collaboration and expedite decision-making in blue economy projects.
In a separate meeting, the federal minister reviewed progress on land allotment and the lease policy of Port Qasim Authority (PQA). Officials reported that the Survey of Pakistan has been tasked with identifying and demarcating PQA-owned land. It was also revealed that the PQA master plan is being revised in line with the broader feasibility study for the National Ports Master Plan, currently underway.
Chaudhry reiterated the government's commitment to promoting sustainable marine development, reiterating that investment in aquaculture and port infrastructure is essential for ensuring food security, increasing exports, and creating employment across coastal regions.
The series of meetings chaired by the maritime minister mark a significant step in the government's maritime development strategy, focused on harnessing the full potential of Pakistan's coastal resources through innovation, institutional coordination, and private sector participation.
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