Denmark to invest $2bn in port sector, says maritime minister

KARACHI: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Wednesday that investors from Denmark plan to invest $2 billion in Pakistan’s port sector, and progress is on track in this regard.

“Danish investors in Pakistan are actively working with the government to accelerate this process,” he said while speaking to the media during his visit to the Port Qasim Authority. Regarding Port Qasim’s land, the minister said it would be utilised for industrial purposes and sold transparently to genuine investors. “All real estate dealings on Port Qasim’s land will be discontinued,” he announced.

He further added that the valuation of Port Qasim’s land would be reassessed in accordance with relevant regulations. “If allottees fail to establish industries within the stipulated time, their allotments will be cancelled,” he added. Chaudhry declared that the ministry would introduce a transparent and clear policy regarding land owned by its institutions.

He also announced that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs is ready to play its role in improving Karachi’s infrastructure and invited the Sindh government and investors to collaborate with the ministry to uplift the city’s infrastructure. He emphasised that while the ministry is prepared to contribute, partnership with the Sindh government is essential. “Infrastructure development projects cannot proceed without Sindh’s cooperation, and the ministry is even willing to share its profits with the provincial government,” he added.

Regarding the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, he stressed that lower-grade officers would be provided with opportunities for promotion, and external expertise would only be hired when necessary.

Responding to a question about the sale of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) ships, the minister explained that the vessels were sold after completing their operational lifespan and were replaced with relatively newer ones through better deals. “This move aims to enhance PNSC’s competitiveness and strengthen its role in maritime trade,” he said.

To improve the performance of institutions under the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, he said that their strategic plans had been requested and would be reviewed quarterly. A special cell would also be established to fast-track Islamabad-related matters concerning maritime institutions.