Pakistan’s largest offshore island draws renewed attention as officials highlight its tourism potential
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has drawn attention to Astola Island, describing it as a destination so scenic that visitors may choose it over international tourist hotspots like the Maldives.
Speaking about the natural beauty of Balochistan’s coastline, Naqvi emphasized that Astola Island offers unique landscapes and an untouched environment that could position it as a premier tourist destination in Pakistan. His remarks have sparked renewed interest in the island’s potential for eco-tourism and sustainable development.
Astola Island, also known as “Jazira Haft Talar,” is the largest offshore island of Pakistan, located in the Arabian Sea. The uninhabited island lies approximately 25 kilometers south of the mainland and about 39 kilometers southeast of Pasni’s fishing harbor. It stretches roughly 6.7 kilometers in length and up to 2.3 kilometers in width, covering an area of around 6.7 square kilometers.
The island rises to a maximum height of 75 meters above sea level and is administratively part of Pasni tehsil in Gwadar district. Accessible via motorboats from Pasni, the journey typically takes around one and a half hours.
Known for its biodiversity, clear waters and dramatic cliffs, Astola Island has long been considered a hidden gem. Officials believe that with proper infrastructure and environmental safeguards, it could become a key attraction in Pakistan’s growing tourism sector.
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