Ishaq Dar pushes for stronger port connectivity

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday called for stronger port connectivity to help Pakistan fully benefit from its strategic location and expand regional trade opportunities.

Dar chaired a high-level meeting on port connectivity, where senior government officials reviewed the current performance of Pakistan’s ports and discussed ways to improve their efficiency, competitiveness, and integration with regional trade networks.

During the meeting, the Secretary for Maritime Affairs presented a detailed briefing on the operational status and utilisation capacity of the country’s ports. Participants examined proposals to modernise port operations, improve logistics, and increase trade facilitation.

Dar said Pakistan’s location at the intersection of Central, South, and West Asia gives it a significant economic advantage. He stressed that better connectivity and efficient port infrastructure would strengthen Pakistan’s role as a regional trade hub and unlock greater economic opportunities.

The meeting also focused on streamlining port operations, enhancing coordination among government agencies, improving logistics systems, and implementing reforms to make Pakistani ports more competitive and attractive for international trade.

Officials attending the meeting included the ministers for law and maritime affairs, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, the Secretary for Maritime Affairs, the Director General of the National Logistics Corporation (NLC), the Chairman of the Karachi Port Authority, and other senior government representatives.

In a separate meeting, Dar met Pakistan’s High Commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom, Tipu Usman Chaudhry. He directed the envoy to strengthen political, economic, and people-to-people ties between Pakistan and the UK while expanding cooperation across key sectors.