FM Dar calls for improved port connectivity to maximize Pakistan’s economic benefits

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday emphasized the need to improve port connectivity to maximize the benefits of Pakistan’s strategic geographical location.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), FM Dar chaired a high-level meeting on improving port connectivity where participants reviewed measures to improve the efficiency, competitiveness and connectivity of Pakistan’s ports.

“The Maritime Affairs Secretary gave a detailed briefing to the committee on the current situation of Pakistan’s ports and their utilization capacity,” MOFA said in a post on X.

FM Dar said Pakistan’s geographical location was “an asset to be explored”, adding that the country “is at the crossroads of Central, South and West Asia”. He said that improving connectivity would enable Pakistan to “get maximum economic benefits”.

“The committee reviewed measures to develop and improve the efficiency and competitiveness of Pakistan’s ports,” it added.

Discussions also focused on improving port connectivity, streamlining operational processes, strengthening inter-agency coordination, facilitating trade and logistics and promoting reforms aimed at positioning Pakistan’s ports as “effective regional trade gateways”, according to the ministry.

The meeting was attended by the Ministers for Law and Maritime Affairs, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, the Secretary for Maritime Affairs, the Director General of National Logistics Corporation (NLC), the Chairman of Karachi Port Authority and senior officials of relevant departments, the statement added.

Read: Dar chairs meeting on improving government efficiency

Separately, FM Dar met Pakistan’s High Commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom, Tipu Usman Chaudhry, and directed him to intensify efforts to further strengthen bilateral relations, according to MOFA.

“Dar emphasized the importance of bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom and directed the High Commissioner-designate to redouble efforts to further deepen and expand the partnership between the two countries across the political, economic and people-to-people domains”, the statement said.

FM Dar also highlighted that the UK is home to “one of the largest, most dynamic and vibrant Pakistani diasporas in the world”, and stressed that extending proactive consular services and welfare support to the overseas Pakistani community “must remain a top priority” for the High Commission.

“FM Dar also appreciated Chaudhry’s contribution as Chief of Protocol in the Ministry of External Affairs and wished him well in his new assignment,” according to the ministry.