ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday underscored the importance of improving port connectivity, saying Pakistan must fully utilise its strategic geographical location to maximise economic opportunities.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Dar chaired a high-level meeting on enhancing port connectivity, where participants reviewed proposals aimed at improving the efficiency, competitiveness and connectivity of Pakistan’s ports.
During the meeting, the secretary for maritime affairs gave a comprehensive briefing on the current status of the country’s ports, including their operational capacity and utilisation, the ministry said in a post on X.
Addressing the participants, Dar said Pakistan’s geographical location was a valuable national asset that should be effectively utilised. He noted that the country sits at the crossroads of Central, South and West Asia, adding that enhanced connectivity would help Pakistan derive maximum economic benefits from its strategic position.
The committee reviewed measures to develop Pakistan’s ports and improve their operational efficiency and competitiveness.
According to MOFA, discussions also focused on strengthening port connectivity, streamlining operational procedures, improving coordination among relevant institutions, facilitating trade and logistics, and implementing reforms to transform Pakistan’s ports into efficient regional trade gateways.
The meeting was attended by the ministers for law and maritime affairs, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, the secretary for maritime affairs, the director general of the National Logistics Corporation (NLC), the chairman of the Karachi Port Authority and senior officials from relevant departments.
In a separate engagement, Foreign Minister Dar met Pakistan’s High Commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom, Tipu Usman Chaudhry, and directed him to step up efforts to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
According to the Foreign Office, Dar highlighted the importance of Pakistan-UK ties and instructed the high commissioner-designate to redouble efforts to deepen and broaden cooperation in the political, economic and people-to-people spheres.
The foreign minister also noted that the United Kingdom hosts one of the world’s largest, most dynamic and vibrant Pakistani diaspora communities. He stressed that providing proactive consular services and ensuring the welfare of overseas Pakistanis should remain a top priority for the High Commission.
Dar also acknowledged Chaudhry’s services as Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and wished him success in his new diplomatic assignment.