PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directives during his visit to Karachi underscore a crucial step towards enhancing the country’s maritime infrastructure. The emphasis on upgrading the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and improving its connectivity via road and rail networks is a commendable move aimed at facilitating smoother trade operations and boosting economic growth.
Efficient ports are the lifeblood of international trade, serving as vital gateways for goods entering and exiting a country. The Prime Minister’s directive to reduce Customs clearance time through modern machinery and ensure uninterrupted access to the Karachi Port via the Lyari and Malir Expressways is a step in the right direction. These measures are expected to streamline logistics, reduce costs, and ultimately enhance our competitiveness in global trade. Pakistan’s strategic location provides a convenient route for Central Asian states to access maritime trade. During the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Central Asia, there was expression of interest from these countries in utilizing Pakistani ports for their trade needs. This presents a significant opportunity for us to strengthen regional economic ties and play a pivotal role as a transit hub. In today’s interconnected world, ports not only facilitate trade but also stimulate economic development by creating jobs and fostering local industries. The development of ports such as Karachi and Gwadar holds immense promise for our economy. Gwadar, in particular, has been envisioned as a game-changer, offering a deep-sea port that can accommodate large vessels and serve as a key transit point for trade routes linking South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. It is imperative that special attention is paid with the cooperation of Chinese friends to fully operationalize Gwadar port. This ambitious project has the potential to transform Pakistan into a regional economic powerhouse, attracting investments, stimulating infrastructure development and generating employment opportunities across various sectors.
