One man voyages into Quetta's culinary scene with seafood from Makran Coast

This is the story of Syed Ehsan Shah, a young man from Panjgur, who turned uncertainty into a business idea, and that idea into a growing local venture, one fresh fish at a time.

Quetta, nestled among rugged mountains and high plains, is a city known for its slow cooked meat dishes. A trip to Quetta is incomplete without soft naans, sajji and rosh - marinated lamb or mutton - along with chapli kababs, Kabuli pulao, and a rich variety of rice dishes.

Given this, the idea of a seafood outlet seems almost out of place. Yet, a young entrepreneur from Panjgur has started something novel - bringing the taste of Makran Coast to a landlocked city hundreds of kilometres away from the sea. In a place where fresh fish is rare and typically only seasonal, Makran Sea Food represents both innovation and a quiet culinary experiment, in an attempt to redefine what Quetta’s food scene can offer.

On the bustling Joint Road of Quetta, tucked among general stores and tea hotels, a modest seafood shop is quietly carving out its space. It goes by the name "Makran Sea Food," and while the fresh fish of the day may draw customers in, it’s the story behind the counter that leaves a lasting impression.

From student to entrepreneur

Ehsan's journey began similar to that of many hardworking students in Balochistan. Born and raised in Panjgur, he pursued his education with dedication. After completing his matriculation in his hometown, he moved to Quetta briefly for acquiring coaching and tuition, before returning to Panjgur, where he completed his intermediate in Pre-Engineering from Government Degree College, Panjgur. He didn’t just pass with average marks, he topped in his district.

Encouraged by his academic success, Ehsan went on to earn a degree in Civil Engineering from Khuzdar. With his qualification in hand, he aimed high, sitting for multiple competitive exams. But things didn’t unfold the way he had imagined. "After graduation, I appeared for various exams, but the opportunities for civil engineers are far and few here," Ehsan said, speaking with calm clarity. "With little financial support and no job prospects, I realised I had to find another way forward."

Taking the leap

Ehsan’s family has long been involved in the seafood business in Panjgur. “I thought, why not bring to Quetta, what my family has been doing in Panjgur?” he said, recalling his brainwave. “We’ve been selling seafood for years, and I thought it could work here too.”

Starting a business in a city like Quetta, with its own set of economic and logistical challenges, was not easy. Ehsan had no background in running a shop. He was stepping into unfamiliar territory.

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“In the beginning, I didn’t know exactly what to do,” he admitted. “But with the support of a few close people, emotionally, financially, and logistically, I managed to push through.” Those early months were filled with trial and error. Learning how to source, store, and sell seafood in a city hundreds of kilometres from the coast required a lot of patience and willingness to adapt. But bit by bit, the pieces began to fall into place.

A year in business

Today, over a year since it first opened its shutters, Makran Sea Food has become a known stop for many seafood lovers in Quetta. The shop offers fresh kingfish, prawns, and a variety of seasonal and local fish, delivered from coastal areas with care.

Business has remained steady, and Ehsan is already thinking ahead. He’s planning to expand his offerings beyond raw seafood by introducing prepared dishes such as grilled fish, seafood karahi, and other local favourites.

“Right now, we’re providing fresh seafood, but I’m planning to introduce grilled seafood and karahi dishes to offer a more complete dining experience,” he shared. This move will not only attract walk-in customers but also help establish Makran Sea Food as a place where people can enjoy the taste of the coast in the heart of Quetta.

Ehsan knows he’s still in the early stages. He’s been promoting the shop through social media pages, but admits that online engagement hasn’t yet brought in significant traffic. “We haven’t received much attention there. We’ll eventually build a website and shift more into digital marketing, but for now, the priority is providing quality and building trust,” he explained.

Staying rooted

In a time when many young professionals from Balochistan aspire to go abroad for better opportunities, Ehsan made a completely different choice. “I didn’t want to go abroad for work or studies. I’m happy here in my land,” he says, quite simply. “I want to build something here in Quetta and give back to my community.”

He is not waiting on promises or programmes. When asked if he expects support from the government, his response is clear: “I don’t expect anything from the government. The support and love from my people here is enough for me.”

Read More: Tide against the fisherfolk

Ehsan’s story is one of self-reliance. He didn't enroll in expensive entrepreneurship programmes or seek out major investors. He leaned on what was available: his family’s experience, a small support network, and a strong desire to do something of his own.

A clear vision

Even though Makran Sea Food is still young, Ehsan is already thinking long-term. He understands that success doesn’t come overnight and that a slow, steady approach is more sustainable. “A clear strategy and vision are key,” he says. His current focus is on gradual expansion and adding value to his existing offerings. He plans to hire staff in the future, and has intends to build a reputation based on reliability and quality.

He also hopes that, with time, the shop will become a small hub, not just for seafood, but for community and conversation. “It’s not just about selling fish,” he says. “It’s about offering something valuable to the people here.”

A message to the youth

While Ehsan doesn’t frame himself as a role model, his story quietly offers something to other young people on similar crossroads.He didn’t wait for the perfect job, or ideal circumstances. He started with what he knew. He built slowly, took help when it was offered, and kept moving forward even when the path was uncertain.

Take the first step, that’s the message his journey sends. Whether you’re in Panjgur, Khuzdar, or Quetta, that first step might be small, but it could be the one that changes your life.

As Makran Sea Food continues to grow, it stands as more than just a seafood shop. It’s a quiet reminder that building something meaningful doesn’t require starting big, it just means taking the first step.