KARACHI: Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry says Pakistan can emerge as a rising regional economic power through reforms in maritime sector.
Speaking at a seminar titled “The impact of current geopolitical situation on maritime trade in the Indian Ocean region”, the minister described the Indian Ocean as a vital corridor linking Middle Eastern energy, Asian industry, African resources and European markets.
He emphasised that the Indian Ocean’s geopolitical tensions extend beyond trade and shipping, threatening global economies, regional stability and national futures.
On Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directives, he said, a high-level committee formed in March positioned Karachi Port, Port Qasim and Gwadar Port as trans-shipment hub.
“Swift and coordinated decisions in the national interest have reduced risks to trade, energy and logistics,” Junaid Chaudhry said.
Karachi Port set a monthly record with 111,300 TEUs of trans-shipment cargo in March, Port Qasim handled 3,485 TEUs with spare capacity, and Gwadar managed its first dedicated trans-shipment shipment, four such vessels have arrived so far.
He said reforms with the Federal Board of Revenue replaced 100% scanning with risk management, slashing clearance times and enabling Less than Container Load (LCL) operations for small traders.
The exporters at Karachi Port saw charges cut by 60%, perishable exports limited to 4% scanning.
Decisive action cleared years of container congestion as Port Qasim reached zero backlog, Karachi waived extra storage fees and auctioned surplus goods, and for the first time in its 137-year history operations ran through Eid holidays with over 2,500 container movements, the minister added.
“Pakistan has turned challenges into opportunities, maintaining trade continuity and building shipping resilience. Timely decisions can position us as a rising regional economic power.”
Minister Chaudhry reaffirmed ports’ readiness for all challenges, crediting the prime minister’s policies for uninterrupted oil supplies and business-friendly measures to boost trade.
Karachi Port Trust Chairman Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed noted four trains will run from Karachi Port to Pipri starting September, with modern edible oil terminals and ferry services already operational.
“Karachi Port has capacity for the next 50 years,” he added. The government remains committed to establishing Pakistan as a maritime trade hub for regional connectivity and prosperity.
