Minister gives orders to upgrade harbour

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has given directives that the Korangi Fisheries Harbour Authority (KoFHA) should be upgraded to meet international standards and enhance seafood trade.

The minister issued the directives during a meeting with KoFHA Managing Director Dr Shahid Mirza on Thursday.

KoFHA is a key maritime institution in Karachi that operates under the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and manages the fisheries harbour and an industrial zone designed to boost Pakistan's seafood trade and economy.

The minister emphasised the urgent need for upgrading the infrastructure and operations at the Korangi fisheries harbour to meet global standards of seafood processing, handling and export. He called modernisation essential for not only enhancing the quality of exports but also for improving the working conditions for the fishing community.

"The global seafood market demands the highest quality standards. To compete internationally and meet those benchmarks, it is imperative that we invest in and accelerate the modernisation of our key fisheries infrastructure," the minister remarked.

"The Korangi fish harbour holds immense potential and we must unlock that potential through innovation, upgraded facilities and sustainable practices."

The federal minister reiterated the government's commitment to empowering the business community, with a special focus on the welfare of fishermen, who formed the backbone of the maritime economy.

He instructed KoFHA to design initiatives that could support fishermen through better access to cold storage, hygienic auction halls, modern processing units and financial literacy programmes.

"It's not just about exports; it's about improving livelihoods," he said. "Our fishermen must be brought into the fold of economic progress by equipping them with the tools and resources they need to thrive in a modern, competitive market."

He stressed that the modernisation of the Korangi harbour was part of a broader national strategy to revamp the maritime and fisheries sectors in line with the government's policy for the blue economy.