CM approves Sargodha, Alipur shrimp estates

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved a plan to establish shrimp estates over 5,600 acres in Sargodha and Alipur.

According to a statement, the decision is part of an initiative to promote blue economy and aquaculture in the province.

According to officials, initial development work in Sargodha has been completed on 20 acres, where nine shrimp ponds have been constructed and a 5,320-metre drainage system has been laid. A survey for an additional 10 acres has also been completed to expand the farming in the next phase.

A quality control laboratory being constructed in Lahore at a cost of Rs4.5 billion is nearing completion, with 99 per cent of the work completed. Another laboratory for research and creating a conducive environment for shrimp farming in Muzaffargarh is 98% complete.

Written examinations for the recruitment of 100 interns for the project have also been conducted.

To ensure technical capacity, experts have undergone specialised training in Saudi Arabia and Mexico on the chief minister's instructions. The process of staffing for shrimp farming facilities is in its final stages, while foreign experts have also visited Pakistan to provide technical training.

Officials said 32 tube wells and eight transformers have been installed for the farming while shrimp seed has been released in 64 research ponds. In Chak No. 58 near Sargodha, a shrimp estate and value chain will be developed over 124 acres, where excavation of 57 ponds has been completed.