Govt plans to turn Karachi into maritime hub: maritime affairs minister

KARACHI: In an effort to elevate Karachi into a modern maritime hub, the government is actively expanding port infrastructure, logistics, and blue economy ventures such as tourism, announced Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Tuesday. Speaking at the inauguration of a new cruise coastal service, Chaudhry emphasized Karachi's role as the heart of Pakistan's maritime economy.

Karachi, with its extensive coastline in Sindh and Balochistan, boasts beaches, islands, fishing communities, and maritime heritage, according to Chaudhry. However, the sector lags due to insufficient tourism infrastructure, limited cruise facilities, poor connectivity, and mounting environmental pressures.

The minister revealed that the launch of cruise services could attract domestic and international tourists, stimulating investment in hospitality, transport, recreation, and related businesses. He also highlighted that Karachi Port is being developed as a major transshipment hub, with ongoing projects including a maritime industrial complex, shipbuilding and repair facilities, and industrial estates to bolster links between maritime activities and the broader industrial economy.

Chaudhry stressed that maritime development should encompass tourism and other ocean-based activities, which can create jobs, attract investment, and diversify coastal economies. To ensure economic growth doesn't compromise the marine environment, improved safety standards, better connectivity, and investment in tourism infrastructure are crucial, he added.