Balochistan Assembly body reviews Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill
• Seeks input from fishermen, fish farmers and stakeholders in Gwadar and Lasbela • Stresses need for modern legislation, broader consultation for sustainable management of fisheries QUETTA: The Standing Committee on Fisheries of the Balochistan Assembly reviewed the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill 2026, aimed at modernising and consolidating regulations governing the province’s fisheries sector. The meeting was chaired by Maulana Hidayatur Rehman Baloch, with members Abdul Majeed Badini, Zafar Ali Agha, Barkat Ali Rind, Mir Zahoor Buledi and Safia Fazal in attendance. Senior officials, including Assembly Secretary Tahir Shah Kakar, Special Secretary Abdul Rahman, the Director General of Fisheries and representatives of the Law Department, also participated. The committee was briefed that existing laws governing fisheries and coastal development, including the Balochistan Fisheries Ordinance 1961, Sea Fisheries Ordinance 1971, Pasni Fisheries Harbour Authority Ordinance 1983 and Coastal Development Authority Act 1998, are outdated and fragmented, creating administrative gaps and overlapping institutional powers. The proposed bill seeks to establish a unified framework covering sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, harbour management, licencing, digital governance, monitoring, environmental protection and the welfare of fishermen. The draft also recommends dissolving the Pasni Fisheries Harbour Authority and the Coastal Development Authority and transferring their assets, liabilities and responsibilities to the Department of Fisheries and Coastal Development to improve efficiency and coordination. Chairman Hidayatur Rehman expressed concern over the absence of the Fisheries Secretary during the deliberations, stressing that such an important legislative matter requires the presence of senior officials. Committee members emphasised the need to incorporate feedback from local fishermen, fish farmers and stakeholders in Gwadar and Lasbela before finalising the bill. It was decided that the next committee meeting would be held in Gwadar, with fishermen and stakeholders invited to share their views. If a formal meeting is not feasible, a seminar will be organised to gather public input. The committee also resolved to involve representatives from the Finance Department and the Services & General Administration Department in future discussions. Members unanimously agreed that modern and comprehensive legislation is essential for the sustainable growth and management of fisheries and aquaculture resources in Balochistan, but stressed that effective consultation with all stakeholders is equally vital. Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2026
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• Seeks input from fishermen, fish farmers and stakeholders in Gwadar and Lasbela
• Stresses need for modern legislation, broader consultation for sustainable management of fisheries
QUETTA: The Standing Committee on Fisheries of the Balochistan Assembly reviewed the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill 2026, aimed at modernising and consolidating regulations governing the province’s fisheries sector.
The meeting was chaired by Maulana Hidayatur Rehman Baloch, with members Abdul Majeed Badini, Zafar Ali Agha, Barkat Ali Rind, Mir Zahoor Buledi and Safia Fazal in attendance. Senior officials, including Assembly Secretary Tahir Shah Kakar, Special Secretary Abdul Rahman, the Director General of Fisheries and representatives of the Law Department, also participated.
The committee was briefed that existing laws governing fisheries and coastal development, including the Balochistan Fisheries Ordinance 1961, Sea Fisheries Ordinance 1971, Pasni Fisheries Harbour Authority Ordinance 1983 and Coastal Development Authority Act 1998, are outdated and fragmented, creating administrative gaps and overlapping institutional powers.
The proposed bill seeks to establish a unified framework covering sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, harbour management, licencing, digital governance, monitoring, environmental protection and the welfare of fishermen.
The draft also recommends dissolving the Pasni Fisheries Harbour Authority and the Coastal Development Authority and transferring their assets, liabilities and responsibilities to the Department of Fisheries and Coastal Development to improve efficiency and coordination.
Chairman Hidayatur Rehman expressed concern over the absence of the Fisheries Secretary during the deliberations, stressing that such an important legislative matter requires the presence of senior officials.
Committee members emphasised the need to incorporate feedback from local fishermen, fish farmers and stakeholders in Gwadar and Lasbela before finalising the bill.
It was decided that the next committee meeting would be held in Gwadar, with fishermen and stakeholders invited to share their views. If a formal meeting is not feasible, a seminar will be organised to gather public input.
The committee also resolved to involve representatives from the Finance Department and the Services & General Administration Department in future discussions.
Members unanimously agreed that modern and comprehensive legislation is essential for the sustainable growth and management of fisheries and aquaculture resources in Balochistan, but stressed that effective consultation with all stakeholders is equally vital.
Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2026
