By Asad Cheema
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has launched a comprehensive National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy 2025–2035, aimed at unlocking the sector’s economic potential, improving food security, and supporting climate resilience.
Announced during a high-level workshop in Islamabad on Wednesday, the policy was developed by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The initiative seeks to address the long-standing underdevelopment of Pakistan’s marine and inland fisheries, which currently contribute less than 0.5% to the national GDP.
“This policy marks a major milestone for Pakistan’s blue economy,” said Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, adding that the country’s vast marine resources remain largely untapped. “The sector has the potential to boost exports, generate employment, and enhance food security—if managed sustainably.”
The minister emphasized that a central pillar of the new policy is promoting federal-provincial coordination, which has been lacking in the past. He said the Ministry will continue to lead on crucial national issues including fulfilling international obligations and improving the country’s seafood export competitiveness.
The 10-year framework also focuses on key cross-cutting priorities such as climate resilience, environmental protection, gender inclusion, child and labor rights, and the use of modern technologies to support sustainable practices.
Speaking at the event, Secretary for Maritime Affairs Syed Zaffar Ali Shah noted that the policy aims to tackle major issues such as overfishing, weak regulation, and limited value addition. “If managed properly, the fisheries sector could generate up to $10 billion in value,” he said.
Florence Rolle, FAO Representative in Pakistan, praised the inclusive, consultative approach used to formulate the policy, which included nationwide stakeholder seminars.
She highlighted Balochistan’s leadership in drafting its own fisheries strategy and said sustainable practices could also attract international climate financing. Dr. Syed Murtaza Hassan Andrabi, Animal Husbandry Commissioner from the Ministry of National Food Security, stressed that the policy must be both “ambitious and realistic,” calling for greater attention to fisheries as a climate-sensitive and often neglected sector.
FAO’s Dr. Kanwar Muhammad Javed Iqbal, who helped shape the policy, detailed its main features—including fiscal incentives, ecosystem conservation, entrepreneurship support, women’s empowerment, and pollution control. He underscored the importance of responsible resource management and good governance to ensure long-term sectoral growth.
The event also featured panel discussions on policy implementation, governance frameworks, and development strategies for Pakistan’s aquaculture sector. Representatives from Sindh and Balochistan’s fishing communities, such as Younas Anwar of Mahigir Itehad Gwadar and Nasir Rahim Sohrabi of RCDC Gwadar, shared their perspectives on local challenges and priorities.
