Govt striving to modernise fisheries in Gwadar: PM

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Friday said that the modernisation of fisheries in Gwadar was the government’s priority as they were being trained to improve their working at par with international standards by utilising modern machinery and boats equipped with engines and navigation systems.

The prime minister, in a meeting with a delegation of Gwadar Shipping and Clearing Agents Association, said the government would fully exploit the exports potential of fisheries in Gwadar.

The delegation comprised GSCAA President Abdur Raheem Zafar, Secretary General Hameed Baloch and Faisal Dashti.

The delegation members requested the prime minister to initially allow the import of a certain chunk of government’s cargos through the Gwadar Port before making it fully operational. The prime minister directed the authorities concerned to present a comprehensive report in this regard, the official news agency reported.

Calling Gwadar a future hub of sea trade, the prime minister said the government was taking measures to establish industries at the port besides building communications infrastructure to link the industrial areas.

He said the provision of employment opportunities and facilities of international standards to the people of Gwadar was inevitable for the progress of the port.

The delegation members apprised the prime minister of the problems facing the shipping clearing agents as well as the fisheries. The prime minister assured them that their issues would be resolved on priority basis.

The delegation also appreciated the measures taken by the government for provision of employment and professional training to the fishermen besides addressing the overall problems of the Gwadar city.