Minister calls for joint force to reclaim, develop port land

KARACHI: Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry chaired a high-level progress review meeting on Monday to assess and accelerate ongoing land reform initiatives at the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) and Karachi Port Trust (KPT).

Senior officials attended the meeting to review current progress, discuss strategic approaches and identify coordinated solutions to long-standing issues of land encroachment and underutilisation at the country’s two major seaports.

The minister stressed the strategic importance of safeguarding and developing port land to support sustainable economic growth and attract investment.He proposed the formation of a joint anti-encroachment force by the PQA and KPT, with the mandate to protect the land holdings of both ports from illegal occupation and misuse.

This dedicated force, he emphasised, should operate with full authority and in close coordination with local law-enforcement agencies to ensure effective on-ground implementation.“The maritime sector is a critical pillar of Pakistan’s economic framework. We cannot allow valuable port land, which holds immense economic potential, to remain encroached upon or underutilised,” said Chaudhry. “It is imperative that both the PQA and KPT work together to enforce land protection measures, implement digital transparency and enable private sector investment through proper planning and legal frameworks.”

The PQA management briefed the minister on ongoing initiatives under a new comprehensive masterplan. The plan includes the regularisation and optimal use of leftover plots, reclaimed land and currently unused spaces.

These areas are to be repurposed for high-value investment, commercial activities and strategic infrastructure aligned with national economic goals.A key highlight was the PQA’s plan to launch a digital land automation system -- a standalone module designed to bring transparency, traceability and efficiency to land management. Fully integrated with the PQA Port ERP system, the platform will enable seamless data synchronisation, digital record-keeping and real-time decision-making.

KPT officials also shared progress updates and reaffirmed their commitment to tackling encroachments. They informed the minister that enforcement actions are already underway and that the trust is closely collaborating with the Survey of Pakistan, which is conducting a detailed land demarcation survey to accurately map KPT’s holdings.

The survey is expected to provide the basis for stronger legal action and more informed land-use planning.Chaudhry commended both authorities for their efforts but stressed the need to translate plans into tangible outcomes.

He also announced that he would personally oversee the initiatives, with monthly review meetings scheduled to monitor implementation and resolve inter-agency bottlenecks. He urged all maritime stakeholders to align their activities with the national vision for sustainable port development and economic resilience.

“The maritime sector holds the key to transforming Pakistan into a regional trade and logistics hub. Unlocking the potential of port land through strategic reforms, enforcement, and digitisation is a top priority for our ministry,” he said.