Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh, underscored the necessity of collective effort towards achieving economic growth for Pakistan during his visit to the Port Qasim Authority here on Sunday. Upon his arrival, Minister Shaikh was warmly received by the Chairman of Port Qasim Authority and other officials. He was briefed on the organization’s mandate and ongoing operations. Addressing a meeting with PQA officers, Minister Shaikh emphasized that while Asia is experiencing rapid progress, Pakistan has yet to fully benefit from this momentum.
He stressed the importance of each individual contributing to the country’s economic revival. Citing China’s success in lifting 600 million people out of poverty, Minister Shaikh lamented that approximately 95 million Pakistanis still live below the poverty line. He called for concerted efforts to address this issue and revive the economy.
Highlighting the significance of Port Qasim Authority, the Minister discussed plans for establishing industrial zones within PQA premises to attract multinational companies. He also mentioned ongoing projects such as dredging of channels and updating of berths to accommodate larger ships, aimed at boosting trade activities. During his visit, Minister Shaikh planted a tree at the Port Qasim Authority Karachi, symbolizing environmental sustainability alongside economic development.
