Islamabad: (Yaseen Hashmi) Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Thursday released a one-year reform performance report, affirming 2025 a transformative year for Pakistan’s maritime sector due to wide-ranging legal, policy and infrastructure reforms.
Addressing the launch ceremony, the minister stated the reforms were aligned with the United nations Sustainable development goals (SDGs) and had already brought tangible economic results, with the maritime area generating over Rs100 billion in profit during the year.
Junaid Anwar Chaudhry highlighted the introduction of the “Sea to steel” initiative aimed toward strengthening the national economy, at the same time as consultations on the national Fisheries and Aquaculture coverage were finished. He noted that Karachi Port dealt with a record 54 million tonnes of cargo, and 150 acres of encroached government land worth about Rs110 billion were successfully reclaimed.
The minister stated collaboration with SUPARCO had begun to identify potential sites for new ports, alongside the presentation of the long-term “Pakistan Maritime Century Framework.” An AI-based secretariat has additionally been hooked up within the ministry to enhance port monitoring.
For the first time, bunkering facilities have been introduced at Karachi Port and Port Qasim, while ferry services had been launched to improve coastal connectivity. complete digitalization and a paperless system have been implemented in the ministry.
Junaid Anwar Chaudhry added that reforms in maritime education are underway, such as steps to grant degree status to the Pakistan Marine Academy and the establishment of an endowment fund to provide scholarships for children in coastal areas.
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