The Sindh government has initiated a fuel subsidy programme targeting owners of small fishing boats. Under this scheme, fishermen will receive financial assistance ranging from Rs100,000 to Rs200,000 through the Sindh Bank. Provincial Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Muhammad Ali Malkani announced on Thursday that no fisherman would be registered without a valid Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC).
Review Meeting of Fisheries Regulatory Task Force
Malkani was chairing the third review meeting of the Provincial Fisheries Regulatory Task Force held in Karachi. He emphasized that the initiative aims to provide all facilities to fishermen under a single-window system. The minister stated that CNIC-based registration has been made mandatory to ensure that only genuine fishermen benefit from government support schemes.
Integration with NADRA and Online Systems
The government is linking fishermen with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and introducing a barcode-based online system for licensing, boat registration, jetty registration, and other related services. Malkani noted that inspections of jetties would be conducted, and only those providing facilities to fishermen would be registered.
He added that the reforms are aimed at improving transparency and streamlining the registration process. A Fisheries Regulatory Task Force has been formed on the directives of the government, under which civil and armed forces are jointly carrying out a one-window operation for registration of genuine fishermen.
Security Measures in Coastal Areas
The minister highlighted that security considerations are also a key priority. Measures are being taken to curb terrorism, drug trafficking, and illegal arms smuggling in coastal areas while ensuring protection of the country's maritime borders. The meeting was attended by Livestock and Fisheries Secretary Dr Kazim Hussain, Marine Fisheries DG Dr Asim Karim, and others.
