Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Federal Maritime Minister Qaiser Shaikh held a meeting at CM House on Wednesday to discuss urgent issues affecting fishermen, tackle sea pollution, and revive the Keti Bandar port project. During the meeting, Secretary to CM Raheem Shaikh and Port Qasim Chairman Rear Admiral Nasir Shah were also present. A primary topic of discussion was the impact of fishing trawlers, which threaten marine resources by harming fish stocks.
CM Murad Ali Shah highlighted Sindh’s ban on certain harmful nets like Bulloo and Gujjo, though licensing issues remain unresolved. To find a solution, both leaders agreed to form a joint committee with representatives from the Maritime Ministry and the governments of Sindh and Balochistan. The issue of untreated wastewater, which contributes to sea pollution, was another focus.
CM Shah shared details on the West Karachi Water Recycling Project, which aims to treat and supply 28 million gallons of recycled water daily to industries in SITE. This project, now past the tender stage, includes a treatment plant, a pumping station, and a pipeline for efficient water distribution. The ministers also discussed the establishment of a Combined Effluent Treatment Plant, with an agreement for provincial and federal collaboration on its execution. Regarding the need for additional port capacity, both leaders expressed support for developing Keti Bandar into a deep-sea port. Murad Ali Shah mentioned that Keti Bandar, which was initially part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has strong logistical connectivity to the National Highway and motorway.
Minister Shaikh pledged to pursue private investment to move the project forward and committed to discussing it within his ministry. A follow-up meeting is planned to review the progress on these initiatives, signaling a renewed federal-provincial effort to address Pakistan’s maritime challenges.
