Japan extends Rs800m grant for Pasni Fish Harbour

[Hyde]

Japan extends Rs800m grant for Pasni Fish Harbour​

Saturday, July 10, 2010

ISLAMABAD: The government of Japan has extended a grant of Rs800 million for the rehabilitation of Pasni Fish Harbour in Balochistan, an official statement said.

Expressing his gratitude, Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Muhammad Aslam Khan Raisani said the assistance indicated the goodwill gesture from the people and the government of Japan for Balochistan.

Nawab Aslam Raisani extended his formal gratitude during a meeting with the Japanese Ambassador Chihiro Atsumi at the Embassy of Japan.

The Chief Minister said the government of Balochistan had been trying to arrange funding for rehabilitation of the Pasni Harbour built in 1989, which used to provide berthing/calling facilities to 3500 vessels of various sizes. However, he added that with the passage of time, the harbour started silting up and gradually reduced to only 20 per cent of its actual capacity.

The 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 will utilise the funds for the procurement of a dredger; maintenance and dredging of the harbour; 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 donors for assistance in this project.

Raisani maintained that over 100,000 people had been employed with the Pasni Fish Harbour and expressed hope that its rehabilitation would boost the fishing industry, benefiting the poor fishermen of the area.

The Chief Minister also requested the Ambassador to engage a Japanese firm in the rehabilitation and improvement of the Pasni Fish Harbour, having expertise and state-of-the-art dredging and de-silting machinery and equipment. He offered all possible assistance and the use of the Pasni Airport if any Japanese company shows interest.

Raisani also informed the Japanese Ambassador about vast mineral resources and abundance of seafood in Balochistan, inviting the Japanese investors to explore this potential.

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.