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Pakistani, UAE officials perform groundbreaking of bulk and general cargo terminal in Karachi

The picture taken on April 22, 2024 shows Karachi port in Karachi, Pakistan. (AN photo)
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Updated 23 April 2024
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Pakistani, UAE officials perform groundbreaking of bulk and general cargo terminal in Karachi

  • Pakistan’s maritime affairs minister says UAE’s investment an important “breakthrough” that has increased interest of other players
  • Multi-purpose terminal will handle grains, fertilizers and other kinds of export and import, says official of company operating terminal
Updated 23 April 2024
KHURSHID AHMED   

KARACHI: Pakistani and United Arab Emirates (UAE) officials performed the groundbreaking of a $175 million Bulk and General Cargo terminal on Monday, describing it as an “important breakthrough” for the South Asian country in the maritime sector. 

Under a government-to-government (G2G) agreement between Pakistan and the UAE earlier this year, a new 25-year concession agreement was signed between AD Ports Group and Karachi Port Trust (KPT) in Feb. 2024 to outsource operations of the bulk and general cargo terminal.

Under the terms of the agreement, Karachi Gateway Terminal Multipurpose Limited (KGTML), a joint venture between AD Ports Group, as a majority shareholder, and Kaheel Terminals, a UAE-based company, will develop, operate and manage the Bulk and General Cargo Terminal, berths 11 to 17 at Karachi Port’s East Wharf. The move is expected to enhance Karachi’s position as a key player in the maritime industry.

Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Pakistan’s minister of maritime affairs, unveiled the KGTML plaque at Karachi Port on Monday, describing the UAE’s investment as a “very important breakthrough” which has increased the interest of other players in the maritime sector.

“This investment from Abu Dhabi Ports is very important for Pakistan, it is a breakthrough,” Sheikh told Arab News at the sidelines of the event. “It is the first investment in terminal and following this, there are many other companies who are also interested in Pakistan.”




Pakistan's Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, and officials of the UAE consulate perform the groundbreaking ceremony of the Bulk and General Cargo terminal in Karachi, Pakistan on April 22, 2024. (AN photo)

The minister shared that Maersk Line, the largest owner and operator of US flag vessels, has also expressed interest in investing in Pakistan.

“We are looking forward to investment from other companies like, you see, other shipping lines,” Sheikh said. “We are having a meeting (on Apr. 25) with Maersk Line and we are also expecting (investment).”

Khurram Aziz Khan, KGTL’s chief executive officer, said AD Ports plans to invest about $175 million for the bulk terminal’s development, adding that it would handle all kinds of bulk cargo.

“This is basically a multi-purpose terminal which will not only handle grains but also fertilizers and other kinds of export and import, dirty or clean cargo as well,” Khan told Arab News.

“We are making a long-term investment to make it a regional hub not only for containers but also for the multi-purpose facilities,” Khan explained, adding that the project, once completed, will also save the time and cost of doing business.




Pakistan's Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, and officials of the UAE consulate attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the Bulk and General Cargo terminal in Karachi, Pakistan on April 22, 2024. (AN photo)

He informed that AD Ports has an overall plan of investing about $395 million in the development of the container and cargo terminal.

“We have an overall plan of $220 million investment in the container terminal and $175 million of investment in the multi-purpose bulk terminal,” the KGTL chief said.

AD Ports Group also presented Sheikh a cheque for the upfront fee payment amounting to $50 million payable to KPT as per the terms outlined in the Agreement for Outsourcing of Operations of Bulk and General Cargo Terminal.

Abdul Aziz Baloshi, chief executive officer of Fujairah Terminals, AD Ports Group, said the group was expanding its operations in Pakistan.

“Progress will be made through investment in the supply chain,” Baloshi said at the event. “Karachi port is the future of Pakistan and Pakistan is included in our priority list in the region.”

UAE’s Consul General Bakheet Atiq Al-Remeithi said Emirati investors are interested in investing on a large scale in Pakistan. He said their areas of interest included ports and shipping, railways, and other infrastructure.

“Apart from port investments, investments will be made in railway infrastructure, export zones, and other sectors,” Al-Remeithi shared.

 The port operator hoped that the facilities will help Pakistan become the regional hub for handling export and import of cargoes from Central Asian countries.

The agreement for the construction of the Bulk and General Cargo terminal at the Karachi port was based on the concession agreement secured by AD Ports Group to develop, operate and manage container terminal at berths 6-10 at Karachi port’s East Wharf in June 2023.

AD Ports Group had signed a 50-year concession agreement with KPT to secure the terminal’s operations. 

Topics: Pakistan UAE ties AD ports in Pakistan Karachi AD Ports

Pakistan begins mandatory Hajj training by holding first session in Peshawar

Updated 7 sec ago
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Pakistan begins mandatory Hajj training by holding first session in Peshawar

  • The country’s religious affairs ministry plans to hold the training sessions at 147 locations across Pakistan
  • These sessions will use audiovisual material and conclude before the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan
Updated 7 sec ago
WASIM SAJJAD

PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry on Saturday initiated mandatory training sessions for pilgrims performing this year’s Hajj under the government scheme by holding the inaugural session in the northwestern city of Peshawar.
Earlier this month, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the annual Hajj agreement in Jeddah, which formally confirmed that the South Asian nation would send 179,210 people to perform the pilgrimage this year.
More than 200 pilgrims participated in the first session in Peshawar, held at a private educational institution in the city.
Muhammad Umair Butt, the ministry spokesperson, told Arab News that authorities have planned the mandatory Hajj training sessions at 147 locations across the country.
“According to the Saudi government’s instructions, we have to provide training to Hajj pilgrims to acquaint them with the administrative affairs and other Hajj rituals so they can complete their worship properly,” he said, adding the sessions were also designed to sensitize pilgrims on how to spend their time in Saudi Arabia.

Trainer briefs selected Pakistani pilgrims during Hajj training workshop in Peshawar on January 18, 2025, ahead of the annual pilgrimage in June this year. (AN Photo)

Butt said the training sessions would cover all required topics in two sittings.
“These sessions will be concluded before [the Muslim fasting month of] Ramadan,” he said. “The sessions will be held from January 18 to February 27 across the country in every province.”
The religious affairs ministry has taken several initiatives this year to facilitate pilgrims, including the launch of the Pak Hajj 2025 mobile application to guide them.
The app is available for both Android and iPhone users.

Selected Pakistani pilgrims attend Hajj training workshop in Peshawar on January 18, 2025, ahead of the annual pilgrimage in June this year. (AN Photo)

The ministry spokesperson said each sitting of the training session will last for about three hours, during which pilgrims will receive guidelines through audiovisual material.
Speaking to Arab News, participants of the training session expressed satisfaction with the information shared, saying multiple questions they had about the Hajj rituals had been answered.
“It is good that I attended the first session in which they provided detailed information about the app,” Mujib-ur-Rehman Bhatti, a resident of Peshawar’s Gulbahar neighborhood, said after participating in the training.

Trainer briefs selected Pakistani pilgrims during Hajj training workshop in Peshawar on January 18, 2025, ahead of the annual pilgrimage in June this year. (AN Photo)

He added the ministry had informed all the pilgrims in detail about how to overcome common problems reported during Hajj.
“The things they taught us were for our own ease and can save us from tension ahead,” Bhatti said.
Another participant of the session, Ali Khan, an official at the Civil Aviation who is planning to perform Hajj with his family, called it a “brilliant program.”
“Everything was explained quite well and in significant detail,” he said. “We gathered information from videos, YouTube and other sources. The session was very practical and important.”

Selected Pakistani pilgrims attend Hajj training workshop in Peshawar on January 18, 2025, ahead of the annual pilgrimage in June this year. (AN Photo)

 

Topics: Hajj 2025 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims Pakistan Hajj mission Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry

Pakistan eyes $3 billion investment as Sindh announces China-backed special economic zone

Updated 18 January 2025
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Pakistan eyes $3 billion investment as Sindh announces China-backed special economic zone

  • CM Murad Ali Shah emphasizes its transformative potential amid hopes for over 100,000 jobs
  • Dhabeji SEZ will be located near Karachi’s ports, offering connectivity to regional trade routes
Updated 18 January 2025
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: The provincial administration of Sindh on Saturday announced the establishment of a special economic zone after the signing of a memorandum of understanding supported by Chinese authorities, projecting the initiative to transform Pakistan’s economy by attracting $3 billion in investment and creating over 100,000 jobs.
The announcement is part of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which aims to enhance industrial development by setting up such economic zones. The first CPEC phase focused on infrastructure and energy projects, while the second phase emphasizes industrial collaboration between the two countries.
The Dhabeji Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which is being developed under public-private partnership by the Sindh administration, is strategically located near Karachi’s ports, offering connectivity to regional trade routes to position it as a vital industrial hub.
“The Dhabeji SEZ is set to transform Pakistan’s economic landscape,” Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said, according to an official statement released after the MoU signing.
He added the project would stimulate industrial growth, reduce reliance on imports, boost exports and create a self-reliant and sustainable economy.
Special Assistant to the CM on Investment, Syed Qassim Naveed Qamar, also highlighted the SEZ’s transformative potential.
“This SEZ will create over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, promote value-added industries and empower local communities through skills development.”
The MoU signing ceremony was also attended by members of the Sindh Cabinet, senior officials and other dignitaries.

Topics: Pakistan China Ties China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Sindh government Dhabeji Special Economic Zone Dhabeji

Pakistan becomes first country to implement global initiative for digital foreign investment — PM

Updated 18 January 2025
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Pakistan becomes first country to implement global initiative for digital foreign investment — PM

  • The initiative, a collaboration of World Economic Forum and Digital Cooperation Organization, aims to target emerging markets
  • Pakistan focused on four pillars as part of the initiative: digital infrastructure, adoption, new activities and services exports
Updated 18 January 2025
KASHIF IMRAN

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reaffirmed his commitment to cultivating a thriving digital investment ecosystem as Pakistan became the first country to implement a global initiative to drive digital foreign direct investment.
The Digital Foreign Direct Investment Initiative, a collaboration of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), was launched in 2022 to enhance cross-border digital investment, particularly in emerging markets.
Pakistan was the first country to volunteer to implement the initiative, marking the beginning of the Digital FDI-Enabling Project (DEP) in 2022. The project is structured around four pillars: digital infrastructure, digital adoption, new digital activities and digital services exports.
In its report issued on Friday, the WEF outlined targeted actions taken by the DEP team in critical areas for growth, carefully tailored to Pakistan’s socioeconomic conditions, regulatory framework and evolving digital landscape.
“From expanding revenues to increasing workforce and global exports, Pakistan is scaling new heights in its stride for digital transformation,” PM Sharif said on X, adding that he was “proud” to witness Pakistan as the first country to implement the initiative.
“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to cultivating a thriving digital investment ecosystem, paving the way for #DigitalProsperity4All.”
In its report, the WEF noted that a consultative and data-gathering process identified 55 policy options as possible recommendations for addressing gaps in Pakistan’s digital ecosystem and attracting more digital FDI.
These insights were consolidated in a Findings Note that was reviewed by government partners and key industry stakeholders and presented to participants at a consultative workshop. The policy options were collectively prioritized to establish priority actions, according to the report.
Throughout the project, key stakeholders across each category were actively engaged through a series of consultations, follow-up meetings and a dedicated stakeholder workshop. This comprehensive engagement provided invaluable insights into Pakistan’s digital landscape and investment ecosystem to inform the project’s direction and outcomes.
“Pakistan is striving to boost digital foreign direct investment in the country by promoting a ‘digital-friendly’ investment climate,” the report read.
Last year, Pakistan’s State Minister for Information Technology (IT) Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the South Asian country planned to establish a National Digital Commission to ensure digitization of its economy and governance.
The commission will not only improve governance and tax collection efficiency, but it will also make the inter-ministerial coordination smooth, according to Khawaja.
Pakistan, faced with an economic meltdown in recent years, has made rigorous efforts to introduce structural reforms to revive its $350 billion economy.
Khawaja said paperless governance was “vital” to speed up the government operations and the commission would help remove procedural bottlenecks.
Pakistan is part of the 16-member DCO, the world’s first standalone international intergovernmental organization, which focuses on the acceleration of growth of an inclusive and sustainable digital economy.
Other members of the multilateral organization, founded in November 2020, include Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cyprus, Djibouti, Gambia, Ghana, the Hellenic Republic (Greece), Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Rwanda and Saudi Arabia, collectively representing nearly $3.5 trillion in GDP and a market of nearly 800 million people, more than 70 percent of whom are under the age of 35.

Topics: Pakistan economy Direct foreign investment Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

Noman and Sajid give Pakistan lead in spin-dominated first Test

Updated 18 January 2025
AFP
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Noman and Sajid give Pakistan lead in spin-dominated first Test

  • Noman grabbed 5-39 for his seventh five-wicket haul in Tests, Sajid finished with 4-65
  • Pakistan earlier lost their last six wickets for 43 runs after resuming the day at 143-4
Updated 18 January 2025
AFP

MULTAN: Spin pair Noman Ali and Sajid Khan shared nine wickets between them to give Pakistan a 93-run lead on the second day of the opening Test against West Indies in Multan on Saturday.
Noman grabbed 5-39 for his seventh five-wicket haul in Tests, while Sajid finished with 4-65 to dismiss the West Indies for 137 after lunch in a first innings that lasted just 25.2 overs.
Pakistan earlier lost their last six wickets for 43 runs after resuming at 143-4 and were bowled out for 230 in their first innings.
The dry and grassless Multan pitch has already produced 20 wickets in five sessions even though two-and-a-half hours were lost on day one, and another 30 minutes on Saturday, because of poor visibility.
Noman and Sajid, who shared 39 of the 40 wickets in the last two Tests against England in Pakistan’s 2-1 series win last year, were once again unplayable.

Sajid opened the bowling and removed Mikyle Louis (one), Keacy Carty (0), Kraigg Brathwaite (11) and Kavem Hodge (four) in his first three overs.

Pakistan’s Said Khan (center) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of West Indies Mikyle Louis during the day two of the first Test cricket match between Pakistan and West Indies, in Multan on January 18, 2025. (AP)

Noman then further jolted the tourists with another four wickets to leave them on 66-8.
The tail-enders showed more resistance, with number 10 batsman Jomel Warrican unbeaten on 31, with Gudakesh Motie adding 19 and Jayden Seales the last wicket to fall for 22.
Seales hit three sixes before holing out off spinner Abrar Ahmed.
Warrican also took 3-69 in Pakistan’s innings.

West Indies Jomel Warrican (third left) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Salman Ali Agha during the second day of the first Test match against Pakistan in Multan, Pakistan, on January 18, 2025. (PCB)

Saud Shakeel top-scored for Pakistan with 84 off 157 deliveries, including six boundaries, while keeper Mohammad Rizwan added 71.
Shakeel added an invaluable 141 for the fifth wicket with Rizwan, lifting Pakistan from a precarious 46-4 on day one.
Kevin Sinclair sparked the Pakistan batting collapse by taking Shakeel’s wicket with the first ball after drinks.

Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel, center, plays a shot during the day two of the first test cricket match between Pakistan and West Indies, in Multan on January 18, 2025. (AP)

He then trapped Rizwan leg-before off a missed reverse sweep, the original decision of not out overturned on review.
Rizwan’s 133-ball stay included nine boundaries.
Sajid hit a boundary and a six in a rapid-fire 18 before he was bowled by Warrican on the stroke of lunch to end Pakistan’s innings.

Topics: Pakistan vs West Indies Pakistan cricket team Multan Test

PM calls for robust cargo scanning system to improve Pakistan’s prospects as regional trade hub

Updated 18 January 2025
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PM calls for robust cargo scanning system to improve Pakistan’s prospects as regional trade hub

  • The development comes amid Pakistan’s efforts to position itself as a regional trade and transit hub by leveraging its strategic geopolitical position
  • This week, UAE’s DP World and Pakistan’s National Logistics Corporation launched a feeder service to transport shipping containers from Dubai to Karachi
Updated 18 January 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed officials to establish a world-class cargo scanning system in the commercial hub of Karachi and other major trade centers in Pakistan to improve the country’s prospects as a regional trade and transit hub, Pakistani state media reported on Friday.
Sharif issued the directives at a meeting to review transit cargo and tracking system in the federal capital of Islamabad, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
The development comes amid Pakistan’s efforts to position itself as a regional trade and transit hub by leveraging its strategic geopolitical position.
Sharif instructed officials to ensure the implementation of modern technology and abolish the obsolete system of tracking, tracing and scanning cargo.
“Pakistan will become a hub of transit trade for other regional countries due to its integrated communication system and better tracking of cargo,” he was quoted as saying by Radio Pakistan.
Pakistan, faced with a prolonged economic meltdown, has witnessed a flurry of visits, investment talks and economic activity involving officials from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, China and Central Asian nations in recent months.
This week, Emirati multinational logistics company DP World, in collaboration with Pakistan’s National Logistics Corporation (NLC), launched a feeder service to transport shipping containers from Dubai to Karachi, Pakistani state media reported.
The weekly service promises faster and more reliable container delivery, directly benefiting the business community and boosting economic activity in the region.
Sharif said there had been a significant decrease in smuggling due to Pakistan’s efforts to improve cargo tracking system.
“Due to curtailing smuggling, sugar worth 211 million dollars was exported to Afghanistan this [fiscal] year,” he was quoted as saying.
The prime minister also directed officials to ensure third-party validation of cargo tracking service providers.

Topics: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Arab News Pakistan

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