The federal government has successfully reconstituted the Fisheries Advisory Board and the Directors of the Korangi Fisheries Harbour Authority (KOFHA) in Karachi, following nearly a year of inactivity.
The reconstitution was overseen by the Fisheries Advisory Board, which plays a pivotal role in ensuring the efficient governance and operational effectiveness of KOFHA. This new board aims to address long-standing challenges within the fisheries sector while enhancing the overall management of Korangi Harbour.
The previous board had been appointed on August 10, 2020, for a three-year term under Section 6(2) of the KOFHA Ordinance, 1982. Its tenure officially ended on August 9, 2023. During a recent cabinet session, it was revealed that KOFHA was established in 1982 under Section 4 of the KOFHA Ordinance.
This organization operates under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, and the Fisheries Advisory Board was entrusted with the task of reviewing and nominating suitable candidates for the new board.
According to Section 6(1) of the ordinance, the Board must consist of no fewer than seven and no more than 11 members. The board includes a chairman, a managing director, and representatives from the federal and provincial governments, the Marine Fisheries Department, the local fishermen’s association, and other appointees as determined by the federal government. The Fisheries Advisory Board carefully reviewed these requirements to ensure that the new appointees meet the criteria outlined in the ordinance.
Out of the 11 board members, three are ex-officio members, with two representing the federal government and one from the Sindh provincial government. Additional nominations came from the Pakistan Fish Exporters Association, the local fishermen’s association, and the Sindh government. As per the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the nominations included figures like Asim Abrar, Syed Mehran Ali Shah, and the managing director of the Karachi Fish Harbour Authority.
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs submitted a formal proposal to the cabinet on May 14, 2024, seeking approval for the reconstitution of KOFHA’s board. A ministerial committee, chaired by the Minister for Maritime Affairs and comprising the Minister for Industries and Production and the Minister for Commerce, was established to assess the reconstitution process.
This committee, in consultation with the Fisheries Advisory Board, finalized the selection criteria for new board members, which included a requirement for at least 10 years of experience in the fishery sector, a clean legal record, and extensive expertise in fisheries management.
Following a thorough review of candidates’ credentials, the committee recommended five new appointees to represent the federal government, two from the fish processing industry, and one fisherman from the coastal area. Other members included professionals with backgrounds in finance, law, project management, and the Fisheries Advisory Board.
The final list of appointees presented to the Prime Minister included Raza Alam (fish processor/exporter), Zulfiqar Lassi (fish processor/exporter), Jane Alam Jamot (fisherman), Muhammad Faheem (finance/law/project management), and the Fisheries Development Commissioner from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs. These recommendations were submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office for final approval.
The cabinet, during its review, emphasized the importance of equal provincial representation across all boards. The Prime Minister’s Office approved the reconstitution proposal submitted by the Fisheries Advisory Board and cleared the appointees for the federal cabinet’s final consideration. As a result, the new board of directors for KOFHA has been officially reconstituted, with a mandate to enhance governance and drive growth in the fisheries sector.
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