KARACHI: Maritime Affairs Minister Muham­mad Junaid Anwar Chau­dhry on Thursday inaugurated a new ferry terminal at Karachi Port by unveiling a commemorative plaque.

Addressing the ceremony as the chief guest, he said that the terminal mar­k­ed the revival of maritime passenger services in Paki­stan after the discontinuation of the historic Safina-i-Arab service in 1976.

The terminal is designed to accommodate up to 200 to 250 passengers at a time and supports the national vision of promoting sustainable and economical transportation through sea, he said.

The minister stated that the inauguration of the terminal is fully aligned with the strategic guidance of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif which is translated into the Maritime Vision 2047-2147.

He emphasised that the initiative reflects the ministry’s strategic focus on promoting connectivity, facilitating passenger movement and religious tourism through sea routes.

He described the commencement of ferry terminal operations as a significant milestone towards harnessing the potential of the Blue Economy, opening new avenues for maritime tourism and diversifying port activities beyond traditional cargo handling.

Earlier, Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Chairman (retired) Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed, informed the audiance that the terminal has been developed with a strong focus on passenger convenience, safety and operational efficiency, while engaging all national stakeholders.

He said that the terminal is equipped with modern facilities in line with international standards.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2026