Pakistan’s sea ports must be upgraded to compete with the top 50 ports in the world: Ahsan Iqbal

Independent Report.
Islamabad:Sep. 27. A high-level meeting of the committee formed by the Prime Minister to address the issues of Karachi’s ports was held under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal. The meeting was attended by the Secretary Maritime Affairs, Secretary Railways, members of the Planning Commission, and senior officials from relevant ministries.

While addressing the meeting, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal shed light on Pakistan’s 77-year-long economic history, highlighting the nation’s failure to adopt an export-driven economic policy during this time. He noted that Vision 2010 and Vision 2025 were derailed by political instability, but emphasized that Pakistan is now embarking on the path toward an export-oriented economy.

The Minister further stated that the recent IMF program has provided Pakistan with a three-year financial safety net, giving the country the opportunity to stabilize its economic growth. Ahsan Iqbal stressed that the nation must embrace economic growth with full conviction and determination.

He emphasized the pivotal role of foreign exchange in the National Growth Strategy, adding that every successful country in the world has achieved progress by increasing its foreign exchange reserves. Ahsan Iqbal noted that Gwadar, Karachi, Chabahar, and Port Qasim are seen as golden opportunities on the global stage, and Pakistan must capitalize on them.

The Minister underscored the need for proactive role of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and called for the development of a comprehensive policy framework to address maritime-related issues. He suggested that Pakistani products should be exported via Pakistani ships to promote local industries.

Ahsan Iqbal stressed that the focus of the country’s economic strategy should be based on exports. He cautioned that failure to take advantage of the recent IMF agreement could result in further economic challenges in the future. He also highlighted that Pakistan’s ports currently lag behind their regional competitors in international rankings, and immediate steps are necessary to include Pakistan’s ports among the top 50 in the world.

During the meeting, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs was directed to formulate a comprehensive action plan to enhance the performance of ports and eliminate delays in the clearance process. Ahsan Iqbal reiterated that a robust logistics infrastructure is crucial for Pakistan’s economic stability, and improved port performance plays a significant role in promoting exports.