Pasni Fish Harbour revival plan gets green light

Bugti orders feasibility report by May, vows crackdown on illegal trawling

QUETTA:

The Balochistan government has taken a final decision to fully restore and operationalise Pasni Fish Harbour, with Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti directing officials to prepare a comprehensive feasibility report by May 2026 to ensure swift implementation of the project.

The announcement was made during a high-level meeting chaired by the chief minister in Quetta, aimed at revitalising the fisheries sector in coastal areas and strengthening the local economy.

During the meeting, Secretary Fisheries Tariq Qamar and other relevant officials briefed participants on the current condition of Pasni Fish Harbour and the challenges it faces. The meeting discussed issues including siltation, deteriorating infrastructure and illegal trawling.

CM Bugti instructed authorities to prepare a detailed and workable feasibility report to make the harbour's restoration viable and to present it by May so that practical work on the project can begin without delay.

He asserted that illegal trawling would not be tolerated under any circumstances and warned of strict action against violators.

The chief minister assured that fishermen's rights would be protected at all costs and that safeguarding their livelihoods would remain a priority.

The chief minister said the revival of Pasni Fish Harbour would significantly strengthen the local economy, create new employment opportunities for thousands of fishermen and related workers, and improve the socio-economic conditions of coastal communities.

He said the project was an important step towards modernising Balochistan's fisheries sector.

The meeting was attended by MPA Gwadar Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan, Additional Chief Secretary Development and Planning Zahid Saleem, Additional Chief Secretary Interior Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat and other senior officials.

The development carries added significance as Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman had recently raised concerns in the provincial assembly regarding the deteriorating condition of the harbour and the issue of illegal fishing.