Japan To Provide Rs. 800 Million For Pasni Harbor

The Baloch Hal News

ISLAMABAD: Chief Minister Balochistan, Nawab Muhammad Aslam Khan Raisani has expressed his gratitude to the Japanese government for extending a grant of Rs800.00 million to the Balochistan government for the rehabilitation of Pasni fish harbor.

Nawab Aslam Raisani extended his formal gratitude during a meeting with the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Chihiro Atsumi at the Embassy of Japan here Tuesday.  He said the Japanese assistance displayed the goodwill gesture on the part of the people and the government of Japan for Balochistan. The Chief Minister said that the government of Balochistan had been trying to arrange funding for rehabilitation of the Pasni harbor built in 1989, which used to provide berthing / calling facilities to 3500 vessels of various size and age. However, he added, with the passage of time the harbor started silting up, gradually reducing to only 20 percent of its actual capacity.

The Chief Minister said that with the help of this grant, to be provided out of the ‘Counter Value Fund’ maintained by the Federal government under the Japanese assistance, the provincial government utilize the funds for procurement of a dredger; maintenance of and dredging of the harbor; and extension and improvement of the breakwater.

It may be recalled that the Japanese assistance came forth after the Chief Minister Balochistan, Nawab Muhammad Aslam Khan Raisani made personal efforts last year, inviting the donors for assistance in this project of a very vital nature for the people and the government of Balochistan.

Nawab Aslam Raisani maintained that over 100’000 people had been employed one way or the other with the Pasni fish harbor and expressed his hope that the rehabilitation of the harbor would boost the fishing industry in the area, aimed at benefitting the poor fishermen.

The Chief Minister also requested the Ambassador to engage a Japanese firm for the rehabilitation and improvement of the Pasni fish harbor, having expertise and state-of-the-art dredging and de-silting machinery and equipments. He offered all possible assistance and the use of Pasni airport if any Japanese company shown interest in this regard.

Nawab Aslam Raisani also informed the Japanese Ambassador about vast mineral resources and abundance of seafood potentials in Balochistan and invited the Japanese investors to explore these potentials. He said Balochistan had one of the biggest copper, silver and gold deposits in the world and there was great scope exploring these reserves through joint ventures.

Chief Minister also said that the Balochistan government was planning to establish four modern-day fish harbors along the Balochistan coast at Surbandar, Pishukan, Daam and Sonmiani for Mr. Chihiro Atsumi expressed his willingness for Japanese cooperation once the provincial government sent its formal proposals.