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 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s seafood exports to China rose to more than $153 million in the first three quarters of the year, driven by strong sales of frozen fish and chilled crabs, state media reported on Tuesday.

The development comes after Pakistan set a seafood export target of $600 million for the 2025-26 financial year in September while holding talks with Chinese partners in Beijing to scale up aquaculture and frozen food ventures.

With a coastline stretching over 1,000 kilometers along the Arabian Sea and rich marine resources, Pakistan has the potential to become a major seafood exporter in the region.

“Among major export categories, frozen fish led the growth with exports worth $40.10 million, compared to $30.19 million last year, totaling 21.83 million kilograms in volume in 2025,” the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said in a report.

“Exports of fresh or chilled crabs reached $25.68 million, up from $22.65 million in the same period of 2024,” it continued. “Similarly, frozen cuttlefish exports climbed to $20.29 million, amounting to 8.04 million kilograms, up from $19.83 million last year.”

Sales of frozen sardines, sardinella, brisling or sprats also soared to $11.24 million from over $3 million a year earlier.

The report said Pakistan surpassed Russia and Indonesia as China’s top exporter of seafood.

It highlighted that the “green channel” clearance for ice-packed seafood at Chinese airports played a key role in maintaining product quality and value, enabling deliveries to reach consumers within 48 hours of arrival.

Pakistan’s fisheries sector earned $465 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year, with China remaining the country’s largest buyer, according to government data

RAWALPINDI: Veteran debutant spinner Asif Afridi took two crucial wickets to restrict South Africa to 185-4 and leave the second Pakistan Test in the balance on Tuesday in Rawalpindi.

Tristan Stubbs was unbeaten on 68 at the close on day two having added 113 runs for the third wicket with Tony de Zorzi.

De Zorzi scored a polished 55 as the duo lifted the visitors from 54-2 on a spin-friendly Rawalpindi stadium pitch.

When it looked the pair would stabilize the innings the 38-year-old Asif trapped De Zorzi leg-before and earned his first wicket on review.

In his next over he had Dewald Brevis caught in the slips for nought.

Kyle Verreynne was the other unbeaten batsman, on 10.

South Africa trail by 148 runs on Pakistan’s first-innings 333 as they attempt to square the series, after losing the first Test in Lahore by 93 runs.

Asif has figures of 2-24 while Sajid Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi took a wicket apiece.

“I am really happy for Asif, who has done so well in domestic matches,” said batsman Saud Shakeel.

“At one point he’d given away just 19 runs in 10 overs and then he came up with two good wickets to give us some respite.”

“The match is even at this stage and we need to get them out early on day three,” he added.

South African batting coach Ashwell Prince said he was satisfied with a day’s play in which spinner Keshav Maharaj finished with figures of 7-102.

“Losing the last two wickets were not ideal,” said Prince, a former South African batter.

“We knew these conditions are harder to bat, but I would say pretty good day for us and we need to build on that.”

In South Africa’s reply fast bowler Shaheen struck early to remove Ryan Rickelton caught behind for 14.

Visiting skipper Aiden Markram tried to take the attack to the home spinners, clouting debutant Asif for six before holing out off Sajid at long-on for 32.

The highlight of the day was some superb bowling by the left-armer Maharaj.

Maharaj, who missed the first Test defeat with injury, exploited the dry conditions to maximum effect for his 12th five-wicket Test haul.

Pakistan resumed on 259-5 and reached 316 untroubled when the Maharaj show began.

Having taken two wickets on the opening day, he broke through the defense of Salman Agha, trapping him leg-before for 45 to give the World Test champions hope of wrapping up the innings quickly.

Agha hit five fours and added 70 for the sixth wicket with Saud Shakeel.

Shakeel looked steady and reached his 10th half-century with a couple off Maharaj.

But the spinner had him caught in the slips for 66 and it triggered a collapse.

Maharaj bowled Shaheen for nought, completing his first five-wicket haul against Pakistan.

Maharaj wrapped up the innings with the wickets of Sajid (five) and Asif (four) as Pakistan lost their last five wickets for 17 runs.