KARACHI, Oct 21 (APP):Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday ordered comprehensive security, administrative and infrastructure reforms at Karachi Fish Harbour to improve law and order, regulate commercial activities, prevent congestion and strengthen transparency in seafood handling and exports.
Chairing a meeting at CM House, the chief minister directed the relevant departments to ensure that the harbour operated as a secure and efficient facility serving fishermen, legitimate seafood businesses and Sindh’s fisheries export sector.
The meeting was attended by Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Fisheries Minister Muhammad Ali Malkani, Adviser to the Chief Minister on Cooperatives and Societies Ahsan Mazari, Fishermen’s Cooperative Society Chairperson Fatima Majeed and senior officials.
The meeting was informed that Karachi Fish Harbour, constructed by the federal government in 1959 over 84 acres, was transferred to Sindh in 1974. The Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority (KFHA) was established in 1984 to oversee its management and rehabilitation.
Approximately 20,000 people, including fishermen, auction agents, labourers, transporters, seafood processors and foreign nationals, enter the harbour daily.
The meeting reviewed congestion, unauthorised occupation of roads and disputes arising from fish unloading and auctions conducted outside designated areas. A firing incident on September 8, 2026, reportedly linked to a dispute over placing fish catches on a road, left one person dead and six injured.
Murad directed the authorities to ensure that fish unloading, auctions and related commercial activities took place in designated areas, keeping roads and access routes clear. He also instructed the home minister to strengthen security and pursue the establishment of a dedicated police station at the harbour in consultation with the Fisheries Department.
To improve access control, the chief minister ordered an upgraded management information system featuring RFID-based harbour-user cards, NADRA Verisys verification, a mobile application and integration with the Crime Record Management System (CRMS).
According to the briefing, 5,196 boats were registered with the authority, which processes an average of 1,450 registrations and renewals annually. Since 2001, it has issued 170,000 computerised cards to harbour users, including 155,000 crew cards.
The meeting reviewed an electricity billing dispute raised by the Fishermen’s Cooperative Society, which reported that its meter had been removed despite the issuance of a Rs5.7 million bill. The chief minister directed the authorities to arrange a separate electricity connection and ensure proper metering and billing. He tasked Fisheries Minister Muhammad Ali Malkani with resolving the issue.
Murad also directed the relevant authorities to examine the restoration of the harbour’s cold storage facility to improve seafood preservation and handling.
The meeting discussed proposals concerning the removal of hotels, construction of a new auction hall at K-6 and allocation of designated space for fishmongers. The chief minister directed the fisheries minister to develop appropriate arrangements to reduce congestion, facilitate legitimate businesses and prevent disputes over roads and common areas.
The chief minister called for stricter monitoring of seafood exporters operating outside the harbour to ensure that export activities were properly documented and accurately reflected in official records.
The meeting also examined concerns about unauthorised fish godowns allegedly affecting the Fishermen’s Cooperative Society’s revenue, as well as discrepancies in recorded weights in traceability documents and export claims.
Murad directed the authorities to investigate these issues and take action under the applicable rules to prevent revenue losses, improve traceability and strengthen accountability and transparency in seafood handling and exports.
The meeting also discussed financial assistance for completing K-1 and a proposal for the provincial government to take over Korangi Harbour. The chief minister asked the fisheries minister to submit proposals on the grant and the harbour’s takeover.
The meeting reviewed the Rs2.779 billion Rehabilitation and Renovation of Karachi Fish Harbour — External Services scheme, being implemented by the Communication and Works Department under the Annual Development Programme.
Of the total estimated cost, Rs1.426 billion has been utilised, leaving approximately Rs1.353 billion in outstanding expenditure. For 2026-27, Rs311 million has been allocated, of which Rs46.65 million has been released.
Demolition work has been completed, while water works and the main boundary wall are 90 per cent complete. Sewerage network works and ancillary buildings have reached 80 per cent, firefighting systems 60 per cent and roads 90 per cent completion.
External electrical works are 30 per cent complete, while the CCTV system has reached only five per cent. Sewerage treatment plants are 60 per cent complete. Several other components, including the fixed jetty, stone pitching, steel approach bridges and rehabilitation of floating pontoons, have yet to record physical progress. The fire tender component has also made no progress.
The chief minister directed the Fisheries Department to remove bottlenecks, improve interdepartmental coordination and expedite pending works, particularly street lighting, CCTV surveillance and the security control room.
Concluding the meeting, Murad stressed coordinated and timely implementation of the decisions to improve security, resolve administrative and infrastructure problems, facilitate fishermen and seafood businesses, and strengthen transparency and management at Karachi Fish Harbour.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
