Govt to establish aquaculture park at Korangi Fish Harbour

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has announced the establishment of a state-of-the-art aquaculture park at the Korangi Fish Harbour (KoFHAH), Karachi, with an estimated investment of Rs3 billion.

The move is part of Pakistan’s push to develop its blue economy through sustainable marine farming and infrastructure development.

The minister made the announcement at a meeting also attended by stakeholders from the Gwadar Port Authority, the Korangi Fish Harbour Authority, the Marine Fisheries Department and the Balochistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Spanning 120 acres, the aquaculture park is projected to produce between 360 to 1,200 tons of seafood annually, depending on species selection and farming intensity.

Annual revenue is estimated between $720,000 to $7.2 million. The project will be developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, offering affordable land based on an extensive farming system to attract private sector investment.

Minister Junaid emphasised Pakistan’s favourable coastal conditions for aquaculture and directed the Korangi Fish Harbour Authority to submit a comprehensive execution report within 10 days.

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He also proposed extending the model to Balochistan, citing its untapped coastal resources.

In a bid to enhance coordination among institutions, the minister ordered the relocation of the Marine Fisheries Department sub-office to the Gwadar Port Authority premises, aiming to streamline blue economy initiatives.

In a separate meeting, the minister reviewed progress on land allotment and the lease policy of the Port Qasim Authority (PQA).

Officials reported that the Survey of Pakistan is currently identifying PQA-owned lands and that revisions to the PQA master plan are being aligned with the National Ports Master Plan.

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Reaffirming the government’s commitment, the minister said investments in aquaculture and port infrastructure are vital for food security, job creation, and export growth.