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KARACHI: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar, while highlighting the tremendous potential in Pakistan’s shipping and maritime sector, urged the business community to invest in shipping, as global trade volumes are expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Speaking at a meeting of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Tuesday, the minister invited the business community to bring feasible business proposals to utilise KPT’s available land, proposing that the port could act as a strategic partner with investors. “We have 140 acres of land where we can jointly develop an Industrial Park,” he said, adding that the government welcomes both local and foreign investors to participate in the development of Pakistan’s most modern terminal. He encouraged the private sector to form a consortium, while assuring that the government will provide land and the private sector will operate the terminal. Chaudhry appreciated KCCI’s longstanding role in representing the business and industrial community of Karachi, and acknowledged the deep institutional connection between shipping agents and KCCI. He assured that as a neutral mediator, he would make every possible effort to find a balanced and mutually beneficial way forward to address the concerns of stakeholders, the business community and the shipping agents. He declared that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs stands shoulder to shoulder with the business community, stating that if the Karachi Chamber submits a complaint against any terminal or port-related entity, the Ministry will fully support its legitimate demands. He also highlighted the challenges faced by the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), noting that it alone cannot bear the burden of reducing freight-related losses. He informed that the government plans to increase PNSC’s fleet by 50 percent, with agreements for five new vessels already in final stages. While PNSC initially aimed to expand to 30 vessels within three years, he directed that this target be achieved within one year, emphasising the need for rapid modernisation and expansion of the national fleet. He stated that upon assuming charge of the Ministry, he made a firm decision not to allow real estate dealings on port lands, ensuring that port areas are used strictly for trade, logistics, and industrial development. Chaudhry noted that if Pakistan’s industrial and trade capacity doubles, the ports’ operational capacity will automatically reach 100 percent, adding that the government’s long-term vision is to achieve full port capacity utilisation by 2047. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
