Pakistan has outlined plans to upgrade its port infrastructure and strengthen maritime logistics to position the country as a leading regional transshipment and trade hub, according to a high-level meeting chaired by Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry in Islamabad on Wednesday.
The meeting reviewed operational readiness of major ports, including Karachi Port, and discussed strategies to improve efficiency, expand cargo handling capacity, and attract greater regional trade flows amid shifting global supply chain dynamics.
Officials and private-sector stakeholders, including shipping lines and terminal operators, attended the session. Deliberations focused on regulatory reforms, digitisation of port operations, improved coordination among stakeholders, and enhancing feeder connectivity to regional shipping routes.
Minister Chaudhry said the government is implementing “practical measures” to modernise port operations and strengthen Pakistan’s role in regional maritime trade. He emphasised expanding capacity, improving logistics networks, and streamlining procedures to facilitate faster and more cost-effective cargo movement.
He also underscored the need to address operational bottlenecks such as detention charges and to increase terminal handling efficiency in line with global maritime standards.
Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Chairman Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed (retd) informed the meeting that additional space has been allocated at Karachi Port for vehicle and SUV handling, aimed at easing congestion and improving operational flow.
The minister directed authorities to launch a regular newsletter highlighting port performance, infrastructure, and service facilities to enhance international outreach and investor confidence.
Participants, including representatives of the Pakistan Ship Agents Association and shipping industry bodies, expressed confidence in the government’s approach and reaffirmed support for coordinated development of the maritime sector.
Pakistan’s ports, particularly Karachi, Gwadar, and Port Qasim, are considered strategically significant due to their location near key global shipping routes linking the Middle East, Central Asia, and East Asia.