ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province has launched a plan to develop technology-driven shrimp estates in Muzaffargarh and Sargodha by March 2026, drawing on expertise from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The initiative will establish dedicated shrimp-farming zones featuring hatcheries, aqua malls, processing plants, cold storage facilities, and an integrated transport and logistics network.
Designed to support large-scale shrimp farming and processing, the estates will consolidate the entire value chain in one location, enhancing efficiency, biosecurity, and export potential.
“After successful completion of the pilot research project of shrimp farming on 100 acres of land, the industry has been officially launched,” said a press release on Monday.
The statement citing Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif said Phase I will establish 5,300 acres of shrimp estates in Muzaffargarh and Sargodha by March 2026.
The project will feature hatcheries, aqua malls, processing units, cold storage facilities, and a fully integrated transport and logistics chain. The initiative comes as Pakistan’s seafood exports declined in FY2024, with export earnings falling by 17.4 per cent to $410 million.
“The initiative is built on global R&D, advanced aquaculture technologies and world-class expertise from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Ecuador, Australia and Mexico,” Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif added.
Pakistan’s exports of fish and fishery products declined in FY2024, with export earnings falling by 17.4 per cent to $410 million and volumes dropping 6.9 per cent to 199,738 metric tonnes, compared with FY2023, according to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
Despite having a 1,046-kilometre coastline along a major global trade route, the country’s maritime economy remains underutilised due to limited fishing fleets, outdated port infrastructure, and declining seafood exports.
