by Misbah Saba Malik
GWADAR, Pakistan, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Sitting at his jetty, surrounded by colorful boats adorned with traditional designs, in Gwadar city of Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, Jalil Afzal gazed thoughtfully at the towering cranes of the China-constructed Gwadar port.
"My grandfather was a fisherman, my father was a fisherman, and I am a fisherman as well. Around 80 percent of Gwadar's population relies on fishing, but I want a different future for my children. The port, right in front of me, symbolizes the city's transformation and is a beacon of hope. I hope it changes my children's fate," Afzal told Xinhua.
Afzal explained that, despite many young fishermen graduating from colleges and universities, they often prefer to return to fishing due to the lack of career opportunities linked to the fishing industry.
"This is our heritage, our identity. Yet, if Chinese companies invest in Pakistan's fishing industry, it could be a win-win for both Pakistani fishermen and Chinese investors," he said.
In conversations with Xinhua, fishermen and community representatives expressed optimism about Gwadar's rapid development, driven by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Launched in 2013, CPEC, a flagship project of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, is a corridor linking the Gwadar Port in Pakistan with Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which highlights energy, transport, and industrial cooperation in the first phase, while in the new phase expands to fields of agriculture and livelihood, among others.
The fishermen said that while CPEC has already created numerous job opportunities, they hope the project will soon bring business prospects for their industry.
Abdul Majeed, a representative of the local fishing community, noted the potential impact of the recently completed China-aided New Gwadar International Airport.
"It will draw Chinese investors to Gwadar, and we hope that investment in the fishing industry will be a priority," he said, talking to Xinhua while touring the city's bustling fish market.
The local market is small, said Majeed. To avoid losses, they often export their catch to neighboring Iran at marginal prices, where it is processed, packaged, and sold under Iranian brands at a much higher value.
"If Chinese companies could provide value-added services like processing and packaging the fish here, the product could be sold at a better price. It would also create jobs for our educated youth involved in fishing, and the fish would carry the 'Made in Pakistan' label," Majeed said.
The fishermen also noted the absence of fish farming in Gwadar, an area they believe has untapped potential.
"Investment in sea fish farming could significantly boost fish production and open new doors for Balochistan province's blue economy," said Afzal.
He mentioned that a vocational training center is currently operating in the city under CPEC, providing training for students in various disciplines. He hopes the center will also introduce courses specifically for fishermen to help modernize their fishing practices.
With the rise of CPEC, Gwadar's fishermen envision a future where their industry becomes more profitable, diversified, and internationally recognized, driven by investment that will elevate Gwadar's fishing sector, create a brighter future for generations to come, and further strengthen the bond of friendship between Pakistan and China. ■
