Chinese ships are stealing fish worth billions of dollars from Pakistani, told to Senate Committee

ISLAMABAD Aug 31 (Online): The Senate Maritime Committee was told that Chinese ships are stealing fish worth billions of dollars from Pakistani borders. The committee has directed the ministry to take steps to investigate the matter.

The meeting was held in Parliament House under the chairmanship of Senator Rubina Khalid on Thursday.

In addition to the committee members, the supervising federal minister and the secretary of the ministry and other officers participated in the meeting on the issue of illegal fishing by foreign trawlers, especially Chinese ships.

Committee members Senators Danish Kumar and Muhammad Akram expressed deep concern over the illegal practice, which highlighted the significant smuggling of $2 billion worth of fishery products from Pakistan.

Ministry officials reiterated that as per the 2021 regulations, foreign trawler fishing was banned.

The caretaker minister assured further investigation into the matter while stressing the zero tolerance approach against illegal fishing in Balochistan and Sindh.

The committee members collectively agreed to go into the matter further during the committee meeting in Karachi.

During the meeting, on the issue of water supply to industries within North Free Zone in Gwadar, the committee was informed that water supply to industries is being diligently worked on and desalination plant is working in Free Zone Phase 1. There are two additional approved projects to supply water to the North Free Zone. The chairperson of the committee directed the timely installation of pipelines for efficient water supply system.