FM Dar calls for improved port connectivity to maximise Pakistan's economic benefits

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday emphasised the need to improve port connectivity to maximise the benefits of Pakistan's strategic geographical location.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), FM Dar chaired a high-level meeting on improving port connectivity, during which participants reviewed measures to enhance the efficiency, competitiveness and connectivity of Pakistan's ports.

"The Secretary for Maritime Affairs gave a detailed briefing to the committee on the current situation of Pakistani ports and their utilisation capacity", MOFA said in a post on X.

FM Dar said Pakistan's geographical location was "an asset which needs to be explored", adding that the country "lies at the crossroads of Central, South and West Asia". He said improving connectivity would enable Pakistan to "get maximum economic benefits".

"The committee reviewed measures for the development and enhancement of the efficiency and competitiveness of Pakistan's ports," it added.

Discussions also focused on improving port connectivity, streamlining operational processes, strengthening inter-agency coordination, facilitating trade and logistics, and advancing reforms aimed at positioning Pakistan's ports as "efficient regional trade gateways", according to the ministry.

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, the statement added.

Read: Dar chairs meeting on improving government efficiency

Separately, FM Dar met Pakistan's High Commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom, Tipu Usman Chaudhry, and directed him to intensify efforts to further strengthen bilateral relations, according to the MOFA.

"Dar underscored the significance of Pakistan-UK bilateral relations and directed the high commissioner-designate to redouble efforts to further deepen and broaden the partnership between the two countries across the political, economic and people-to-people domains", said the statement.

FM Dar also highlighted that the UK is home to "one of the largest, most dynamic, and vibrant Pakistani diasporas in the world", stressing that extending proactive consular services and welfare support to the overseas Pakistani community "must remain a top priority" for the High Commission.

"FM Dar also appreciated Chaudhry's contributions as Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and wished him success in his new assignment," according to the ministry.