KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has ordered tighter security and administrative reforms at Karachi Fish Harbour, where a Rs2.779 billion rehabilitation project remains incomplete.
During a review meeting, the chief minister directed authorities to establish a dedicated police station, increase police deployment and introduce mandatory biometric registration for people entering the harbour.
The 84-acre facility handles approximately 20,000 people daily and is classified as a Category A-1 vital installation, requiring heightened security arrangements.
Officials reported that only 5% of the planned CCTV system had been completed. External electrical works were 30% complete, while the main boundary wall and water infrastructure had reached 90%.
Several components, including the fixed jetty, steel approach bridges and floating pontoon rehabilitation, had recorded no physical progress.
Of the project’s total estimated cost, Rs1.426 billion has been utilised, leaving approximately Rs1.353 billion in outstanding expenditure. The scheme has an allocation of Rs311 million for FY2026–27, of which Rs46.65 million has been released.
The meeting also examined congestion caused by fish unloading and auctions taking place on roads rather than inside designated halls.
Shah ordered the removal of road encroachments, regulation of ice dealers and the use of designated areas for unloading and auctioning fish.
The Fisheries Department was instructed to accelerate CCTV installation, street lighting and security-control facilities while coordinating with other departments to complete the remaining works.