Pakistan Sets Course for Logistics Transformation
Pakistan plans Saudi port, shipping projects for logistics hub as part of its strategy to position itself as a regional trade gateway. Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Friday that new Saudi-linked port initiatives and shipping projects will anchor Pakistan’s connectivity agenda.
Chairing a high-level meeting, the minister urged officials to accelerate priority projects, adopt regulatory reforms, and finalise financing strategies. He stressed that the roadmap aims to link Pakistan’s ports with regional trade corridors spanning the Gulf, Central Asia, and China.
New Saudi-Linked Port and Shipping Projects
Technical Adviser for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Jawad Akhtar proposed several projects. These include:
Karachi–KSA and Gwadar–KSA Gateway Terminals.
Expanding the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation fleet with Saudi cooperation.
Launching direct shipping routes from Karachi to Jeddah and Gwadar to Dammam.
Developing 20 green ship recycling yards at Gaddani.
These initiatives, officials said, would give Pakistan a stronger role in Gulf trade while boosting domestic maritime capacity.
Ports and Rail at the Heart of Connectivity
Chaudhry underlined that Karachi Port, Port Qasim, and Gwadar Port will anchor Pakistan’s logistics network. He linked the plan to the ML-1 railway modernisation project, which will increase freight and passenger flows from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to southern ports.
He also highlighted the need to integrate ports with aviation and road networks to ensure seamless connectivity across the region.
Complementary Infrastructure Upgrades
The communications ministry called for laying fibre optic cables along railway lines, expanding submarine cable networks, and expediting the long-delayed M-6 motorway. It also suggested extending the M-10 motorway through the Khirthar mountains to reinforce the national highway grid.
Meanwhile, the petroleum ministry reported progress on a $300 million feasibility study for a new merchant oil terminal at Hub, part of Pakistan State Oil’s expansion strategy.
National Plan Under Compressed Timelines
Concluding the meeting, Junaid Chaudhry stressed urgency.
“We are not merely compiling lists of projects; we are shaping a national plan for logistics and connectivity. Pakistan performs best under compressed timelines, and this is one such moment,” he said.
He added that the plan will cement Pakistan’s position as a “central bridge” connecting the Gulf, Central Asia, and China.
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