KARACHI: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced a comprehensive five-point strategy aimed at transforming Pakistan’s maritime sector and strengthening its role in the national economy.
Speaking at the inauguration of Pakistan Maritime Week 2025, the minister said the government’s goal was to position Pakistan as a key player in the global blue economy through large-scale investments and strategic reforms.
The plan includes building three new ports, expanding the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) fleet to 60 vessels within three years, and establishing modern shipbuilding and recycling facilities. The strategy also prioritizes coastal industrial projects and educational and welfare programs for port communities.
Chaudhry highlighted that the Rs12 billion Gadani project had already been launched to modernize the shipbreaking and maritime industrial base along Pakistan’s coast. “Our objective is to increase the maritime sector’s contribution to GDP from 0.8 percent to 4 percent,” he said.
The minister further announced plans to establish a modern integrated maritime complex and create an educational fund for the children of port workers. He expressed confidence that all Pakistani ports would achieve full operational capacity by 2047 under the long-term roadmap.
