Islamabad, Pakistan – Web Desk: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has emphasized improving port connectivity to unlock Pakistan’s strategic potential, terming the country’s location as a crossroads of Central, South, and West Asia a valuable economic asset that must be fully explored .
Chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Saturday, Dar stated that by enhancing connectivity, Pakistan could reap maximum economic benefits, according to a Foreign Office press release .
Key Discussions and Attendees
The Secretary of Maritime Affairs briefed the committee on the current status and utilization capacity of Pakistan’s ports .
Discussions focused on:
- Improving port connectivity
- Streamlining operational processes
- Strengthening inter-agency coordination
- Facilitating trade and logistics
- Advancing reforms to position Pakistan’s ports as efficient regional trade gateways
The meeting was attended by the Federal Ministers for Law & Justice and Maritime Affairs, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, the Secretary of Maritime Affairs, the Director General of the National Logistics Cell (NLC), the Chairman of the Karachi Port Trust, and senior officials from relevant departments .
Strategic Context
Pakistan’s 1,046-kilometer coastline along the Arabian Sea and its strategic position linking South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East offer significant opportunities for maritime trade and regional connectivity . The development of Gwadar Port under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has positioned Pakistan as a gateway for regional trade, with potential to become a global transshipment hub .
Recent reforms under the Prime Minister’s Maritime Task Force have already shown results, including customs clearance time reduction from 53 hours to 18 hours and a 16% improvement in revenue collection . The government has also abolished sales tax on the shipping industry and initiated dredging work at major ports to handle larger vessels .
