The FAO Team successfully conducted a two-day Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting on the Balochistan Fisheries Policy and Legal Framework at the Planning & Development Conference Hall in Quetta. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Imran Gichki, Secretary of Fisheries and Coastal Development Department, Balochistan. Key attendees included Minister for P&D Mr. Zahoor Buledi as Chief Guest, Parliamentary Secretary on Fisheries and Coastal Development Haji Barkat Ali, MPA Molana Hidayat Ur Rehman, Additional Chief Secretary P&D Mr. Abdul Saboor Kakar, and Secretary P&D Mr. Lal Jan Jaffar. The meeting was attended by officials from PMU GLLSP-II, Fisheries Department, Balochistan Food Authority, Fisheries Development Board, Ministry of Defence, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, and Pakistan Navy.
FAO's Head of Office in Balochistan, Mr. Waleed Mahdi, delivered the opening remarks. The FAO team also presented the draft Policy document and the initial draft of the Balochistan Fisheries and Aquaculture Act (Assembly Bill, 2024) during the occasion.
The meeting achieved a general consensus on the policy content, with minor amendments suggested. Key issues discussed included the mandatory Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) for motorized vessels and the creation of a Fishery Force, the latter deferred to the Council of Common Interest (CCI). Participants were invited to review and submit comments on the documents by May 15, 2024.
On the second day, detailed discussions on the draft Act were held, with inputs from the Additional Secretary of the Law Department and other participants. The session concluded with an agreement to incorporate necessary changes and a follow-up letter was issued.
Post-meeting, technical drafting sessions were held at the FAO Office from May 10-12, 2024, leading to the preparation of a draft resolution, unanimously agreed upon by the Drafting Committee members, outlining the way forward.