By Office of Communications and Public Affairs
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Gwadar Lasbela Livelihood Support Project Phase II (GLLSP-II), Planning & Development Department, Government of Balochistan, Pakistan, on 11 June 2026 to support the digital transformation and capacity enhancement of the Fisheries Department of the Government of Balochistan.
The collaboration aims to strengthen fisheries governance and management through the development of a comprehensive Management Information System (MIS), capacity building of fisheries personnel, and the introduction of digital tools to improve data collection, reporting, monitoring, and evidence-based decision-making.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Prof. Manukid Parnichkun, Vice President for Academic and Research at AIT, highlighted AIT’s long-standing collaboration with Pakistan and expressed confidence that the partnership would contribute significantly to advancing the fisheries sector in Balochistan through innovation, digitalization, and capacity development.
Representing GLLSP-II, Mr. Tariq Qamar, Secretary Fisheries and Coastal Development Department noted that the partnership builds upon previous successful collaborations with AIT, including the training of two batches of fisheries staff. He emphasized that the new initiative comes at a crucial stage of sector development and would provide valuable support in modernizing fisheries management. He also expressed appreciation for the partnership and shared hopes for broader future collaboration with AIT, including opportunities for advanced academic studies at the master’s and doctoral levels.
GLLSP-II, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), is a six-year initiative focused on improving the livelihoods of rural communities in Gwadar and Lasbela districts, particularly fisherfolk and agricultural households. Recognizing the importance of fisheries to the region’s economy and food security, the project seeks to enhance institutional capabilities and promote sustainable resource management through technological innovation.
Under the agreement, AIT will conduct a detailed assessment of existing systems and institutional needs, design and develop a centralized web-based MIS with mobile applications and GIS integration, and support pilot implementation at selected fisheries hubs. The system will include modules for fisheries licensing, vessel registration, catch reporting, aquaculture records, market information, and monitoring and compliance functions. AIT will also provide training, technical documentation, system maintenance support, and knowledge products to ensure long-term sustainability and effective adoption by the Fisheries Department.
The delegation included Mr. Rehmat Dashti, Project Director GLLSP-II; Mr. Asif Mehboob, Program Specialist GLLSP-II, Mr. Hummal Shad – Procurement Specialist GLLSP-II and Mr. Abdul Qadeer – Staff Officer to ACS, Planning & Development Department.
From AIT Prof. Anil Kumar Anal, Dean, Faculty of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources; Prof. Avishek Datta, Professor, Agribusiness Management, Agricultural Systems and Engineering; Dr. Sushil K Himanshu, Associate Professor, Agricultural Systems, Engineering and Agribusiness (ASEA) ; Dr. Muhammad Yaseen, Assistant Professor, ASEA; Dr. Hayat Ullah,Senior Research Specialist and Affiliated Faculty, ASEA and Dr. Gopi Krishna, Research Coordinator, Sponsored and Contracted Projects Office.
