FM Dar calls for improving 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), Foreign Minister Dar chaired a high-level meeting on improving port connectivity, during which participants reviewed measures to improve the efficiency, competitiveness and connectivity of Pakistan’s ports.

“Secretary Maritime Affairs briefed the committee in detail about the current situation of Pakistani ports and their utilization capacity,” MOFA said in a post on X.

Foreign Minister Dar said Pakistan’s geographical location was “an asset that needs to be explored”, adding that the country “lies at the crossroads of Central, South and Western Asia”. He said improving connectivity would allow Pakistan to “deliver maximum economic benefits”.

“The committee reviewed measures for development and improvement of efficiency and competitiveness of Pakistan ports,” he 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 “efficient regional trade gateways”, according to the ministry.

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

Read: Dar chairs meeting on improving government efficiency

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

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

Foreign Minister 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 expanding proactive consular services and social support to the Pakistani community abroad “must remain a top priority” for the High Commission.

“Foreign Minister Dar also appreciated Chaudhry’s contributions as Chief of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and wished him success in his new assignment,” according to the ministry.