KARACHI: In a major move to bolster maritime security and fisherfolk safety, the government has finalized the decision to install Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) on approximately 10,000 fishing launches across Sindh and Balochistan. Implemented and monitored by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA), the project will phase in 4,000 boats from Sindh and 4,000 from Balochistan in its initial stage, targeting registered vessels measuring at least 12 meters (39 feet) in length.
To ensure no financial burden falls on the local fishing community, the federal government will fully fund the initiative, bearing the entire cost of the indigenously manufactured VMS devices, which range between PKR 100,000 and 150,000 each. This technological upgrade will revolutionize maritime surveillance by allowing PMSA to easily identify suspicious vessels, eliminate drug trafficking, curb human smuggling, and crack down on illegal fishing practices. Furthermore, the system will ensure safety compliance by flagging boats operating without mandatory firefighting and personal safety gear. Most importantly, it introduces a critical life-saving feature: in the event of an emergency or distress at sea, fishermen can press a single panic button to instantly alert search-and-rescue teams, effectively overcoming the severe operational challenges currently faced by security agencies during mid-sea crises.
