Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Coordinator Saif ur Rehman said, Gwadar Port-Airport Link Supercharges Regional Trade, as he unveiled details of the five-year Maritime Affairs Action Plan (2025–2029). He stressed that the plan will reshape Gwadar into a regional trade and transit hub, closely aligned with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The roadmap expands Gwadar Port, completes Stage II of the Free Zone, and accelerates Phase II of the East Bay Expressway to strengthen inland connectivity. A major priority is integrating Gwadar International Airport with the port to enhance multimodal transit and boost regional logistics.
Saif ur Rehman explained that smart port technologies and electronic data interchange systems will connect Gwadar with Chinese and international shipping routes. The plan also promotes industries linked to the port, along with warehousing and cold storage, to support trade, transhipment, and industrial growth.
He added that the strategy aligns with the BRI’s “green energy and ocean” vision. It encourages sustainable use of marine resources while protecting the environment. According to the FTO, these steps demonstrate Pakistan’s determination to build a resilient maritime economy. They also deepen maritime cooperation with China and expand links with Afghanistan, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Saif ur Rehman concluded by reaffirming that the maritime action plan is not merely a plan but the foundation of a new era in Pakistan’s maritime development.
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