KARACHI: Pakistan plans to build three to four new deep-sea ports to support long-term growth in trade and logistics, placing environmental protection at the center of port development policy, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Wednesday.
The plan aims to ease congestion at existing ports and prepare for future demand as Pakistan seeks to expand its role in regional trade routes, according to a statement issued after a meeting chaired by Chaudhry.
“Planning deep-sea ports requires a balance between economic growth and environmental protection,” Chaudhry said, according to the statement issued after the meeting. “The development of the maritime sector over the next hundred years is a national priority.”
The ministry said the government was working on a commercial framework to reduce pressure on major ports, warning that alternative arrangements must be put in place before existing facilities reach full capacity.
Chaudhry said mangroves and coastal ecosystems would be protected as part of the port policy, while new facilities would incorporate green energy solutions and modern digital systems to improve efficiency and sustainability.
He added new ports would play a key role in promoting regional trade and logistics, as Pakistan seeks to modernize its maritime infrastructure and position itself as a hub for shipping and transit.
