Federal Minister for Planning, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, emphasized on Friday that the blue economy holds immense potential to drive sustainable economic development in Pakistan, urging the full utilization of the country’s extensive coastline and maritime resources.
Speaking at a high-level meeting on the ‘Blue Economy,’ the minister highlighted Pakistan’s over 1,000 kilometers of coastline and vast sea borders, lamenting that their full potential remains untapped.
“Despite these natural assets, we have not fully harnessed what could be a game-changer for our economy,” Iqbal stated.
He pointed to ongoing developments at Gwadar and Karachi ports, which are being upgraded to strengthen trade links with Central Asia. However, Iqbal stressed the need to move beyond mere fishing toward value-added activities like processing, branding, and marketing of marine products.
Drawing global examples, the minister noted that many countries have successfully integrated the blue economy as a cornerstone of their development strategies by leveraging marine resources.
In Pakistan, he said, the maritime regions of Balochistan could play a “decisive role” in boosting national prosperity.
The Ministry of Planning has prioritized infrastructure for maritime sector projects, with Gwadar positioned as a long-term economic hub.
Ahsan also underscored opportunities in fisheries, aquaculture, and even blue tourism, where value addition could significantly enhance economic output. Currently, the blue economy contributes just one percent to Pakistan’s GDP in ports and transport sectors, according to the minister.
To address this, an “integrated and solution-focused strategy” is being implemented across all maritime initiatives. In conclusion, Iqbal affirmed that the blue economy has been enshrined as a strategic pillar of national development under the “Uraan Pakistan” vision, signaling a renewed commitment to maritime-led growth.
Fisheries reforms and revenue
Separately, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has called for urgent reforms in the fisheries sector, saying reliable energy supply and lower input costs were critical to boosting exports and generating sustainable revenue.
Speaking at a meeting Junaid Chaudhry said persistent electricity shortages and high energy prices were constraining production and eroding the global competitiveness of Pakistani seafood exporters.
The remarks came after Assistant Fisheries Commissioner Farhan Khan briefed participants on structural gaps and operational challenges facing the sector.
The minister said uninterrupted power supply, affordable feed and efficient power generation were essential to unlock growth and help the fisheries sector gain recognition as a full-fledged industry.
“Pakistan has abundant raw material, including fish, shrimp, crabs, lobsters, squid, cuttlefish and bivalves, which could support value-added processing”, he added.
Officials told the meeting that more than 100 fish processing plants, ranging from small units to large commercial facilities, were operating across the country, backed by about 400 registered exporters.
“Most facilities were concentrated in Karachi, with limited infrastructure in Balochistan, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab lagged significantly in sectoral development”, they added.
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) 2022 report, fish and fish preparations ranked 10th among Pakistan’s top export commodities in the 2024-25 fiscal year, accounting for 1.34% of total exports valued at $32.04 billion. The sector outperformed exports of fruits and vegetables, pharmaceuticals, sports goods and surgical instruments.
Globally, fish and fish products are among the most traded food commodities, reaching around 230 countries with a total value of $195 billion in 2022. Average per capita consumption stood at 20.7 kilograms and is projected to rise further.
In Pakistan, fisheries contribute about 1% to gross domestic product and 4% to the agriculture sector, providing direct employment to more than one million people and indirect livelihoods to around 1.5 million.
During the 2024-25 fiscal year, approximately 300,000 tonnes of fish and fish products were processed, with 30% exported for human consumption, 40% converted into fish meal for poultry, dairy and aquaculture, and the remainder used domestically.
The meeting was told that Pakistani seafood is exported to more than 40 markets, including China, Gulf states, Southeast Asia, East Asia, the United States and the European Union. By volume, it ranks second among agricultural exports and generates about $500 million annually, although earnings fluctuate due to regional competition and pricing pressures.