This is the story of Syed Ehsan Shah, a young man from Panjgur, who turned uncertainty into a business idea, and that idea into a growing local company, one fresh fish at a time.
Quetta, nestled between rugged mountains and high plains, is a city known for its slow-cooked meat dishes. A trip to Quetta is incomplete without soft naans, sajji and rosh (marinated mutton or mutton) along with chapli kababs, Kabuli pulao and a rich variety of rice dishes.
Given this, the idea of a seafood store seems almost out of place. However, a young entrepreneur from Panjgur has started something novel: bringing the taste of the Makran coast to a landlocked city hundreds of kilometers from the sea. In a place where fresh fish is scarce and usually only seasonal, Makran Sea Food represents both innovation and a quiet culinary experiment, in an attempt to redefine what Quetta’s food scene can offer.
On Quetta’s bustling Joint Road, hidden between general stores and tea hotels, a modest seafood shop is quietly gaining its space. It’s called “Makran Sea Food” and while the fresh catch of the day may attract customers, it’s the story behind the counter that leaves a lasting impression.
From student to entrepreneur
Ehsan’s journey began similarly to that of many student workers in Balochistan. Born and brought up in Panjgur, he pursued his education with dedication. After completing his matriculation in his hometown, he briefly moved to Quetta for training and tuition, before returning to Panjgur, where he completed his intermediate level in Pre-Engineering at Government Degree College, Panjgur. Not only did he pass with average grades, but he was the best in his district.
Encouraged by his academic success, Ehsan pursued a degree in Civil Engineering from Khuzdar. With his degree in hand, he aimed high and appeared for multiple competitive exams. But things did not happen as he had imagined. “After graduating, I sat for several exams, but the opportunities for civil engineers here are very few,” Ehsan said, speaking calmly and clearly. “With little financial support and no job prospects, I realized I had to find another way forward.”
taking the leap
Ehsan’s family has long been involved in the seafood business in Panjgur. “I thought, why not bring to Quetta what my family has been doing in Panjgur?” he said, remembering his brain idea. “We’ve been selling seafood for years and I thought it could work here too.”
Starting a business in a city like Quetta, with its own set of economic and logistical challenges, was not easy. Ehsan had no experience managing a store. I was entering unknown territory.
Read: Work in progress in two fishing ports
“At first I didn’t know exactly what to do,” he admitted. “But with the emotional, financial and logistical support of some close people, I managed to get ahead.” Those first months were full of trial and error. Learning how to source, store, and sell seafood in a city hundreds of miles from the coast required a lot of patience and a willingness to adapt. But little by little the pieces began to fit together.
One year in business
Today, more than a year since it first opened its doors, Makran Sea Food has become a well-known stop for many seafood lovers in Quetta. The store offers fresh kingfish, prawns and a variety of local and seasonal fish, carefully delivered from coastal areas.
Business has remained stable and Ehsan is already thinking about the future. It is planning to expand its offerings beyond raw seafood by introducing prepared dishes such as grilled fish, seafood karahi and other local favorites.
“Right now, we offer fresh seafood, but I plan to introduce grilled seafood and karahi dishes to offer a more complete dining experience,” he shared. This move will not only attract walk-in customers but will also help establish Makran Sea Food as a place where people can enjoy a taste of the seaside in the heart of Quetta.
Ehsan knows it’s still in the early stages. He has been promoting the store through social media pages, but admits that online interaction has not yet generated significant traffic. “We haven’t received much attention there. Eventually we will build a website and focus more on digital marketing, but for now, the priority is to provide quality and build trust,” he explained.
Stay rooted
At a time when many young professionals from Balochistan aspire to go abroad for better opportunities, Ehsan took a completely different decision. “I didn’t want to go abroad to work or study. I’m happy here in my homeland,” he says simply. “I want to build something here in Quetta and contribute to my community.”
He does not expect promises or programs. When asked if he expects support from the government, his response is clear: “I don’t expect anything from the government. The support and love of my people here is enough for me.”
Read more: Tide against the fishermen
Ehsan’s story is a story of self-reliance. He didn’t enroll in expensive business programs or seek out big investors. He relied on what he had available: his family’s experience, a small support network, and a strong desire to make something of his own.
A clear vision
Although Makran Sea Food is still young, Ehsan is already thinking long term. Understand that success doesn’t come overnight and that a slow and steady approach is more sustainable. “A clear strategy and vision are key,” he says. Its current focus is on gradual expansion and adding value to its existing offerings. It plans to hire staff in the future and intends to build a reputation based on reliability and quality.
He also hopes that, over time, the store will become a small hub, not only for seafood, but also for community and conversation. “It’s not just about selling fish,” he says. “It’s about offering something valuable to the people here.”
A message to the youth
While Ehsan does not present himself as a role model, his story offers something to other young people who find themselves at a similar crossroads. He didn’t wait for the perfect job or the ideal circumstances. He started with what he knew. He built slowly, accepted help when it was offered, and kept moving forward even when the path was uncertain.
Take the first step, that is the message your journey sends. Whether you are in Panjgur, Khuzdar or Quetta, that first step may be small, but it could be the one that changes your life.
As Makran Sea Food continues to grow, it presents itself as more than just a seafood store. It’s a silent reminder that building something meaningful doesn’t require starting big, it just means taking the first step.
