KARACHI: China’s Overseas Ports Holding Company (COPHC) on Wednesday presented a detailed plan to develop a high-tech aquaculture industry in Pakistan’s coastal city of Gwadar, the maritime affairs ministry said, describing the plan as a “transformative opportunity” for the country’s coastal development. 
Gwadar is in Pakistan’s impoverished southwestern province of Balochistan, a sparsely populated, mountainous, desert region where China is involved in the development of a deep-sea port on the Arabian Sea as part of a $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
The aquaculture industry involves the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, shrimps, crabs, oysters, seaweed, and other marine or freshwater species. In a meeting with Pakistan’s Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, COPHC Chairman Yu Bo outlined his organization’s vision to develop a sustainable, technologically advanced aquaculture sector in the port city.
“This project will harness Gwadar’s rich marine resources and transform the city into a key hub for seafood production, processing, and export,” Chaudhry was quoted as saying by the ministry. He highlighted the project’s potential to generate employment, attract investment and strengthen the local economy.
The Pakistani minister assured full government support for all investors and companies aiming to establish operations in the country toward unlocking Pakistan’s blue economy.
“We strongly support initiatives that bring investment, technology, and jobs to our coastal regions,” he said.
Chaudhry noted that Gwadar’s coastline offers immense potential for aquaculture ventures due to its favorable sea conditions and proximity to international markets. He emphasized the importance of developing hatcheries, seafood processing facilities and sustainable aquaculture farms to meet global quality standards and boost exports. The minister said developing aquaculture was key to enhancing exports and ensuring food security in Pakistan.
Both sides agreed to continue coordination through relevant government departments and technical experts to develop viable models and policy frameworks for smooth project implementation.

ISLAMABAD: Daesh has claimed a bomb explosion targeting police in Pakistan’s turbulent southwest that killed three policemen and wounded more than a dozen.
A bomb planted on a parked motorcycle on Tuesday targeted a passing bus carrying 40 policemen in Mastung city of impoverished Balochistan province, where security forces have been battling sectarian, ethnic and separatist violence for decades.
In a statement late Tuesday, Daesh’s regional Khorasan chapter, which often carries out attacks on security forces in Pakistan and Afghanistan, claimed its “soldiers” targeted the “apostate” police.
Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in violence in its regions bordering Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021, with Islamabad accusing its western neighbor of allowing its soil to be used for attacks against Pakistan — a claim the Taliban denies.
In Balochistan, separatist violence has intensified, including an attack last month by ethnic Baloch militants on a train carrying 450 passengers, which sparked a two-day siege and left dozens dead.
Daesh is also active.
The group has claimed responsibility for attacks on religious minorities, targeted killings of religious scholars, and assaults on security officials.
In July 2023, the group claimed a suicide bombing at a political party gathering that killed more than 54 people, including 23 children.
More than 200 people, mostly security officials, have been killed in attacks since the start of the year by armed groups fighting the government in both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, according to an AFP tally.