For decades, Balochistan has remained home to one of Pakistan’s richest yet most underutilized natural resources, its fisheries sector. With more than 770 kilometres of coastline, abundant marine biodiversity, extensive inland fisheries and direct access to the Arabian Sea, the province possesses all the ingredients necessary to become a regional fisheries and aquaculture hub. Yet, despite these immense natural advantages, Balochistan entered 2026 without a comprehensive fisheries policy, a modern legal framework or an implementation roadmap capable of steering the sector towards sustainable growth.
The question is obvious: Why did it take so long? The answer lies in decades of fragmented governance, outdated legislation, weak institutional coordination and the absence of a long-term strategic vision. Fisheries management remained dependent upon old laws that no longer reflected present-day realities. Marine and inland fisheries were governed through disconnected legal instruments, definitions varied across regulations, licensing procedures lacked consistency and implementation mechanisms remained weak. As climate change intensified, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing increased, fish stocks declined and international seafood markets introduced stringent requirements for traceability and certification, the need for comprehensive reform became impossible to ignore.
Recognizing these challenges, the Government of Balochistan, with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and financial assistance from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) under the Governance and Livelihoods through Landscape and Seascape (GLLSP-II) Programme, initiated one of the most comprehensive fisheries reform processes in the province’s history. Rather than producing another policy document, the initiative sought to establish an integrated governance framework comprising the Balochistan Fisheries & Aquaculture Policy (2025-2035), the proposed Fisheries & Aquaculture Bill, the Policy Support Programme, the Implementation Plan and six harmonized sets of Marine and Inland Fisheries Rules.
This landmark process reached a major milestone on 23 June 2026, when the Technical Working Group (TWG) Meeting and the Handing Over Ceremony of the Balochistan Fisheries & Aquaculture Policy and Legal Framework were held at the FAO Balochistan Office in Quetta. The event was not merely a ceremonial gathering; it represented the culmination of years of technical consultations, legal drafting, stakeholder engagement and institutional collaboration.
The day commenced with welcome remarks by Mr. Ateeq Ullah, Director General Fisheries, Government of Balochistan, who acknowledged the unwavering support of FAO, IFAD and GLLSP-II in steering the province towards its first comprehensive fisheries governance framework. He described the initiative as a historic opportunity to modernise fisheries management and improve the livelihoods of thousands of coastal and inland fishing families.
Speaking on behalf of FAO, Mr. Waleed Mahdi stressed that sustainable fisheries cannot be achieved through legislation alone. He emphasized that climate resilience, responsible management of natural resources, scientific planning and inclusive stakeholder participation must underpin every stage of implementation. His remarks highlighted the reality that while financial resources may be mobilised, degraded ecosystems and depleted fisheries are far more difficult to restore.
Representing GLLSP-II, Mr. Rehmat Dashti, Project Director, reaffirmed the programme’s commitment to strengthening livelihoods through integrated interventions in agriculture, livestock and fisheries. He noted that sustainable development requires not only policies but also strong institutions, community participation and long-term investment.
A comprehensive overview of the programme’s achievements was presented by Mr. Zahoor Ahmad (FAO). Beyond fisheries reforms, GLLSP-II has developed climate-resilient agriculture and livestock manuals, established Farmer Field Schools, trained government officers and local graduates, created learning sites and strengthened the capacities of more than 27,000 beneficiaries in Lasbela and Gwadar. Within the fisheries component, three Technical Working Group meetings, consultations in Hub and Gwadar, focused discussions with fisherfolk, technical sessions with the Fisheries Department and LUAWMS, and extensive legal reviews culminated in the validation of the Policy, Bill, Policy Support Programme, Implementation Plan and six harmonized Rules.
One of the most remarkable aspects of this initiative was its continuity despite repeated administrative changes. During the drafting process, the Fisheries Department witnessed three Directors General and four Secretaries. Such institutional transitions often delay policy reforms for years. However, through the commitment of FAO specialists, provincial officials, legal experts and more than twenty technical focal persons, the process remained on track until consensus was achieved.
The technical session, jointly facilitated by Mr. Sharafat Ali and Dr. Allauddin, focused on the final review of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Rules. Mr. Sharafat Ali explained that the exercise was not simply about drafting legislation but about creating a coherent legal system. Six separate sets of Marine and Inland Fisheries Rules were thoroughly reviewed, definitions harmonized, inconsistencies removed, licensing procedures streamlined and legal cross-referencing improved. The Rules also underwent legal vetting by FAO to ensure compatibility with international fisheries governance standards before submission to the Government of Balochistan.
Participants from government departments, academia, LUAWMS, coastal communities, fisherfolk organisations and the private sector actively contributed to the discussions. Experts, including Dr. Asmat Ullah on marine fisheries and Dr. Allauddin on inland fisheries, ensured that both sectors were comprehensively addressed. The late Chaudhry Muhammad Hafeez Tahir, who played an important role during the drafting process, was remembered with respect for his valuable contributions.
Discussions extended beyond legislation to practical implementation. Participants emphasized digital vessel registration, improved licensing systems, fisheries statistics, stock assessment, traceability, seafood certification, ecosystem-based fisheries management and stronger institutional coordination. These reforms are essential if Balochistan is to meet international export standards and compete with regional fisheries economies such as Bangladesh, Vietnam and Thailand.
During the interactive session, this author raised questions regarding financial allocations for implementation, aquaculture expansion and investment in fisheries research and training institutions. Responding to these queries, Mr. Tariq Qamar Baloch, Secretary, Fisheries and Coastal Development Department, explained that substantial financial resources had been envisaged for long-term sectoral development over the coming decade. He emphasized that implementation would require sustained investments in hatcheries, fisheries infrastructure, research, extension services, institutional strengthening and private-sector participation.
The afternoon Handing Over Ceremony marked another significant milestone. Representatives of FAO, IFAD, GLLSP-II, the Government of Balochistan and other stakeholders formally celebrated the completion of the Policy and Legal Framework. Certificates of appreciation and commemorative shields were presented to technical experts and contributors in recognition of their role in this landmark initiative.
Addressing the ceremony as Chief Guest, MPA Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman Baloch welcomed the completion of the policy and legal framework and emphasized that meaningful reforms must ultimately improve the lives of fishermen and coastal communities. He stressed that policy success would depend upon effective implementation, institutional accountability and continued government commitment.
The Handing Over Ceremony also included a formal certificate distribution segment, where certificates of appreciation and commemorative shields were awarded to technical experts, contributors, and institutional representatives in recognition of their valuable role in the development of the Balochistan Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy and Legal Framework. All key participants from FAO, IFAD, GLLSP-II, the Government of Balochistan, academia, legal teams, and fisheries experts were acknowledged for their contributions throughout the extensive consultation and drafting process.
During the ceremony, Dr. Nazia Sher, Research Associate at the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA), was also formally recognized with a commemorative shield and certificate of appreciation for her active participation in the Technical Working Group meetings and her contributions to the fisheries policy development process.
The approval of the Balochistan Fisheries & Aquaculture Policy, the proposed Bill and the supporting Rules marks the beginning not the end of reform. Policies alone cannot transform sectors. Their true value lies in implementation, supported by adequate funding, institutional capacity, scientific research and continuous stakeholder engagement.
