ISLAMABAD – In a landmark move to expand Pakistan’s maritimeinfrastructure, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad JunaidAnwar Chaudhry has announced the formation of a high-level, multi-agencycommittee tasked with identifying suitable locations for new deep-seaports along the country’s extensive coastline.
The initiative marks the first phase of the minister’s long-term strategicframework, titled “Hundred Years Vision 2047–2147,” unveiled earlier thismonth during National Maritime Week in Karachi.
According to the minister’s statement issued on Thursday, the committee’sformation signals the official start of feasibility work for Port 1, Port2, and Port 3, which are to be developed at key strategic coastal pointsto meet Pakistan’s future maritime and trade needs.
The 12-member committee will include representatives from the Port QasimAuthority (PQA), Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Gwadar Port Authority (GPA),Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Special Investment Facilitation Council(SIFC), Surveyor General of Pakistan, Hydrographer of Pakistan, andthe provincialgovernments of Sindh and Balochistan. The body has been directed to meetfortnightly and present a comprehensive feasibility report within threemonths, covering technical evaluations, hydrographic mapping, satelliteimagery, and investment recommendations.
Minister Chaudhry, who will chair the committee’s inaugural session nextweek, emphasized that Pakistan’s existing ports — Gwadar, Karachi, andPort Qasim — are expected to reach full operational capacity between 2035and 2045, driven by increasing industrial output, regional transit trade,and growing cargo traffic.
He warned that without timely expansion, rising shipping volumes —particularly from Afghanistan, Central Asia, and emerging Gulf and EastAfrican transshipment routes — could lead to serious congestion at currentfacilities. Additionally, rapid coastal urbanization, tourism projects,and private housing developments are restricting land availability forfuture port infrastructure.
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“To address these challenges,” the minister noted, “we aim to establishthree to four new deep-sea ports designed with modern cargo handlingsystems, green energy integration, and digital management technologies.”
The ambitious “Hundred Years Vision” plan underscores Pakistan’s intent totransform its coastline into a sustainable, high-capacity maritimecorridor, positioning the country as a key regional trade and logisticshub for the next century.
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