Balochistan Assembly committee reviews Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill 2026 to establish a unified framework covering sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, harbour management, licensing, digital governance, monitoring, environmental protection, and welfare of fishermen
Quetta, The Standing Committee on Fisheries of the Balochistan Assembly held a meeting to review the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill 2026, aimed at modernizing and consolidating regulations for the province’s fisheries sector.
The meeting was chaired by Maulana Hidayat-ur-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, DG Fisheries, and representatives from 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Ordinance 1971, Pasni Fisheries Harbour Authority Ordinance 1983, and Coastal Development Authority Act 1998 are outdated and fragmented, creating administrative gaps and overlapping institutional powers.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, licensing, digital governance, monitoring, environmental protection, and welfare of fishermen.
The draft also recommends dissolving the Pasni Fisheries Harbour Authority and the Coastal Development Authority, transferring their assets, liabilities, and responsibilities to the Department of Fisheries and Coastal Development to improve efficiency and coordination.
Chairman Hidayat-ur-Rehman expressed concern over the absence of the Fisheries Secretary during deliberations, stressing that such an important legislative matter requires the presence of senior officials. Committee members emphasized the need to incorporate feedback from local fishermen, fish farmers, and stakeholders in Gwadar and Lasbela before finalizing the bill.
It was decided that the next committee meeting would be held in Gwadar, inviting fishermen and stakeholders to share their views. If a formal meeting is not feasible, a seminar will be organized to gather public input. The committee also resolved to involve representatives from the Finance Department and Services & General Administration Department (S&GAD) in future discussions, while highlighting the importance of public awareness through media outreach.
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.