ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Choudary, stated that Gwadar Port has the potential to generate over $850 million annually through exports of fisheries and dates, provided there is sustained investment, strategic policymaking, and infrastructural development.
In this sense, the minister made these remarks he was chairing a high-level meeting on the operationalisation of Gwadar Port. The session, held virtually, included senior officials from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Gwadar Port Authority, and representatives from the ministries of Commerce, Industries, and Communication.
He further mentioned the government’s vision, Chaudhry reassured the commitment to utilising local resources and promoting the business community to activate economic potential in the region.
So far, as per the official statement, Balochistan’s coastline comprises 76.2% of Pakistan’s total, yet the province’s contribution to national fish production remains underutilised. The minister pointed out that Balochistan has an estimated fish catch potential of around 300,000 tonnes annually.
Currently, 34 fish processing units are operational in Balochistan, but most require technological upgrades to meet export standards.
“Improving these facilities through modern packaging and processing systems is essential for the sector’s growth,” the minister added.
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Moreover, turning to agriculture, Chaudhry focused on the crucial contribution of Panjgur and Turbat (Kech) to Pakistan’s date production, collectively producing over 225,000 tonnes annually more than half of the country’s total.
