ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, reaffirmed his commitment to transform Gwadar into a modern maritime and logistics hub. He shared this vision during his official visit to Gwadar, where he met with Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Noor ul Haque.
The chairman briefed the minister on the port’s performance, ongoing projects, and future plans.
The minister stressed the need to improve port operations through practical steps focused on prosperity, inclusivity, and national pride.
He highlighted the untapped economic potential of Balochistan’s coastal and agricultural regions. He noted strong business opportunities in fishing and date production in Gwadar, Panjgur, and Kech.
Officials informed the minister that the Makran coast provides 40% of Pakistan’s total fish catch. Kech and Panjgur supply over 50% of the country’s high-quality dates. However, 30–40% of this produce is lost post-harvest due to the absence of value-added facilities.
Junaid urged both public and private sectors to invest in fish and date processing. He called for fish cleaning, freezing, and packaging units, as well as plants for grading dates, drying, and making syrups and jams. He also stressed the urgent need for cold storage and logistics support to improve exports.
The meeting also discussed plans to build an Off-Dock Terminal near the New Gwadar International Airport. Authorities have already allocated 100 acres for the project. The terminal will handle containers and cargo.
Officials said the terminal will support trade with landlocked Central Asian countries like Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. It will lower logistics costs and boost regional connectivity.
The terminal will cost PKR 497 million and will be completed within a year. It will help reduce demurrage charges and build trade confidence. Officials expect it to increase revenues through Gwadar Port.
The minister also visited the China Business Center. There, he received briefings on the Free Zone, International Terminal, and related infrastructure. Pleased with the progress, he directed authorities to speed up work and maintain the development pace.
