CM Murad Orders Security and Infrastructure Reforms at Karachi Fish Harbour

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has ordered comprehensive security, administrative and infrastructure reforms at Karachi Fish Harbour to improve law and order, reduce congestion and strengthen oversight of seafood handling and exports.

The directives were issued during a meeting at the Chief Minister’s House on October 21, 2026, attended by provincial ministers and officials responsible for home affairs, fisheries and harbour management.

The measures aim to improve safety at one of Sindh’s key fisheries facilities while addressing long-standing operational issues affecting fishermen, traders and seafood businesses.

Why Karachi Fish Harbour Needs Reforms

Karachi Fish Harbour covers approximately 84 acres and was constructed by the federal government in 1959 before being transferred to Sindh in 1974. The Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority was established in 1984 to oversee its management and rehabilitation.

According to the briefing presented at the meeting, around 20,000 people enter the harbour daily. These include fishermen, auction agents, labourers, transporters, seafood processors and other commercial workers.

The high volume of activity creates challenges for security, traffic movement and the organisation of fish unloading and auctions.

Authorities also reviewed disputes linked to the use of roads for fish unloading and commercial activities outside designated areas. A reported firing incident on September 8, 2026, linked to a dispute over placing fish catches on a road, left one person dead and six injured.

Dedicated Police Station and Stronger Access Control

The chief minister directed the home minister to strengthen security arrangements and pursue the establishment of a dedicated police station at the harbour in consultation with the Fisheries Department.

He also ordered improvements to the harbour’s management information system to strengthen identification and monitoring of people entering the facility.

The proposed system upgrades include:

• RFID-based identification cards for harbour users.
• Verification through NADRA’s Verisys system.
• A mobile application to support registration and management.
• Integration with the Crime Record Management System (CRMS).

The meeting was informed that 5,196 boats were registered with the authority, which processes an average of 1,450 registrations and renewals annually. The authority has issued approximately 170,000 computerised cards to harbour users since 2001, including 155,000 crew cards.

The effectiveness of the proposed measures will depend on implementation, accurate registration data and coordination between harbour management and law enforcement agencies.

Fish Auctions and Commercial Activities to Be Regulated

Murad Ali Shah directed authorities to ensure that fish unloading, auctions and related commercial activities take place in designated areas.

The objective is to keep roads and access routes clear, reduce disputes and allow legitimate businesses to operate more efficiently.

The meeting also discussed proposals concerning hotels, a new auction hall at K-6 and designated space for fishmongers. The fisheries minister was asked to develop suitable arrangements to reduce congestion and improve the use of common areas.

These measures could help improve movement inside the harbour, although their success will depend on providing workable alternatives for traders and enforcing the rules consistently.

Seafood Export Monitoring and Transparency

The chief minister also called for stricter monitoring of seafood exporters operating outside the harbour.

Officials discussed concerns about seafood export documentation, discrepancies in recorded weights and traceability records, and unauthorised fish storage facilities allegedly affecting the revenue of the Fishermen’s Cooperative Society.

The chief minister directed the relevant authorities to investigate these issues and take action under applicable rules.

Accurate records are important for determining the quantities of seafood handled and exported, improving accountability and reducing the risk of revenue losses. Better traceability can also support confidence in seafood quality and export documentation.

The concerns discussed at the meeting are matters requiring investigation; they should not be interpreted as proof that every exporter or facility involved has violated the law.

Cold Storage and Utility Problems Under Review

The meeting reviewed an electricity billing dispute raised by the Fishermen’s Cooperative Society. The society reported that its electricity meter had been removed despite the issuance of a bill amounting to Rs5.7 million.

The chief minister directed officials to arrange a separate electricity connection and ensure proper metering and billing. Fisheries Minister Muhammad Ali Malkani was tasked with resolving the matter.

Authorities were also directed to examine the restoration of the harbour’s cold storage facility, which could help preserve seafood and improve handling arrangements.

Cold storage is particularly important in seafood supply chains because delays or inadequate temperature control can affect product quality, increase wastage and create difficulties for exporters.

Rs2.779 Billion Harbour Rehabilitation Scheme

The meeting reviewed progress on the Rehabilitation and Renovation of Karachi Fish Harbour – External Services scheme, which is being implemented by the Communication and Works Department under the provincial Annual Development Programme.

The project has an estimated cost of Rs2.779 billion. According to the briefing, approximately Rs1.426 billion had been utilised, leaving around Rs1.353 billion in outstanding expenditure.

For the 2026–27 financial year, Rs311 million was allocated, of which Rs46.65 million had been released at the time of the meeting.

Reported progress on key components

The briefing also identified several components with no recorded physical progress, including the fixed jetty, stone pitching, steel approach bridges, rehabilitation of floating pontoons and the fire tender component.

The chief minister instructed the Fisheries Department to address implementation bottlenecks and improve coordination between departments. Particular emphasis was placed on accelerating street lighting, CCTV surveillance and the security control room.

The low reported completion level of the CCTV system is especially relevant because surveillance is one of the main elements needed to support stronger access control and security monitoring.

Korangi Harbour and Additional Funding Proposals

The meeting also considered financial assistance for completing K-1 and a proposal for the Sindh government to take over Korangi Harbour.

The fisheries minister was asked to submit proposals for consideration. The meeting did not establish a final decision on the proposed takeover or confirm that additional funding had been approved.

What the Reforms Could Mean for Fishermen and Businesses

If implemented effectively, the proposed measures could bring several practical benefits:

• Improved safety: Stronger policing and better access control could help address security risks.
• Less congestion: Designated unloading and auction areas could reduce obstruction of roads.
• Better seafood handling: Restoring cold storage could support preservation and reduce avoidable losses.
• Greater transparency: More accurate export and traceability records could improve accountability.
• Improved infrastructure: Completing pending rehabilitation work could make harbour operations more reliable.

However, the announcement of directives does not mean that all reforms have already been implemented. The results will depend on funding releases, completion of outstanding construction work, coordination between departments and effective enforcement.

What Happens Next?

The next important developments will be the implementation of the proposed registration and security systems, progress toward a dedicated police station, restoration of cold storage and completion of delayed infrastructure components.

Authorities will also need to address the administrative and commercial disputes discussed at the meeting while ensuring that reforms do not unnecessarily disrupt legitimate fishing and seafood-export activities.

Karachi Fish Harbour plays an important role in Sindh’s fisheries economy. Better security, infrastructure and oversight could improve its operations, but measurable progress will depend on timely execution and transparent reporting of results.

Editorial note: Project expenditure, completion percentages and operational figures are based on the reported briefing and should be checked against official Sindh government and Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority records when updated figures become available.