Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry emphasised the importance of climate-resilient infrastructure in a new maritime strategy, aiming to modernise ports, reduce environmental impact, and promote economic growth.
In a series of high-level meetings, the Minister reviewed progress across key maritime institutions, including the Port Qasim Authority (PQA), Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Korangi Fisheries Harbour Authority (KoFHA), and the Marine Fisheries Department (MFD), with a focus on environmental sustainability.
The Minister assessed the implementation of PQA’s 10-year development plan, which focuses on increasing cargo handling capacity and modernising infrastructure to establish the port as a regional maritime logistics hub.
Junaid Anwar Chaudhry also evaluated KPT’s reform strategy, emphasising governance, human capital, operational modernisation, financial sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and service delivery.
KPT management reported progress, including digitalisation projects, clearance of approximately 44,000 stuck containers at the port, improved export facilitation, debris collection mechanisms, and successful oil spill response exercises.
Marine Fisheries Department (MDF) shared initiatives with the Minister, such as establishing a fisheries dialogue and research centre, revamping the fisheries training centre to conduct 300 training sessions over three years, reactivating four laboratories, achieving a non-tax revenue target of Rs. 250 million, and securing $450 million in seafood exports.
Director General of MDF, Dr. Mansoor Ali Wasan, informed the Maritime Minister that stakeholders in the fisheries sector, including fishermen, exporters, and crew members, will receive training at the Fisheries Research Centre. The Minister urged KoFHA to accelerate the Pak Aqua public-private venture to enhance trade by leveraging private-sector investment for facility modernisation and operational efficiency improvements.
This comprehensive approach positions the maritime sector to make meaningful contributions to global climate goals while fostering economic growth and enhancing the country’s competitiveness in international trade, the Minister stated.
