KARACHI: Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar has invited proposals from the business community for the development of 140 acres of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) land, proposing a joint venture model where the port acts as a strategic partner to establish an industrial park.

Speaking at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Tuesday, Mr Anwar urged businesspeople to invest in Pakistan’s shipping sector, noting that global trade volumes are projected to expand significantly in the coming years. He said the government welcomes both local and foreign investors to participate in building the country’s most modern terminal.

He proposed that the private sector form a consortium, assuring that the government would provide the land while operations would remain privately managed. The minister added that he would act as a “neutral mediator” to address concerns of both the business community and shipping agents, pledging the ministry’s full support for legitimate grievances raised by the KCCI.

Mr Junaid said the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) alone could not absorb the burden of reducing freight-related losses. The government plans to expand the PNSC fleet by 50pc, with contracts for five new vessels nearing completion. He said the PNSC’s target of 30 vessels, initially planned for three years, should now be achieved within a year, underscoring the urgency of fleet modernisation.

Maritime minister urges private sector to invest in shipping infrastructure

The minister reiterated his commitment to prohibit any real estate dealings on port land, insisting that such areas should be used strictly for trade, logistics, and industrial purposes. He said Pakistan’s long-term vision is to achieve 100pc port capacity utilisation by 2047, in line with the country’s industrial expansion.

On Gwadar’s development, Mr Anwar said the port would thrive only once the business community sets up factories and industries there. He cited opportunities in tuna fish processing, date exports, and livestock trade with China, adding that the security situation in Gwadar is now “better than Karachi”. He also revealed plans for a Pakistan Maritime Industrial Zone on 700 acres, featuring shipbuilding facilities, a steel melting unit, and a ship-breaking yard.

Meanwhile, Businessmen Group (BMG) Chairman Zubair Motiwala urged the construction of a Karachi bypass road to ease traffic congestion caused by heavy port traffic. He said the Sindh government, which currently holds over Rs250bn from the Infrastructure Deve­lopment Cess, should allocate Rs70-80bn to fund this essential corridor.

He also suggested leasing PNSC vessels to the private sector to improve efficiency and strengthen the national fleet.

BMG Vice-Chairman Jawed Bilwani highlighted persistent industrial challenges, including high energy costs and gas shortages, while KCCI President Muhammad Rehan Hanif criticised congestion at the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) and the absence of pre-arrival parking facilities.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2025