Islamabad: Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, has expressed the government’s commitment to modernizing maritime infrastructure and enhancing operational capacities across the nation. Speaking at a ceremony in Islamabad, the Minister underscored the pivotal role of Pakistan’s shipping industry in bolstering international trade.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Minister highlighted that over 90 percent of Pakistan’s trade volume is managed through seaports, with the maritime sector contributing more than 10 percent to the country’s GDP. Addressing the financial implications of relying on foreign shipping companies, the Minister pointed out that Pakistan spends an estimated six to eight billion dollars annually on freight charges.

He stated that the government is actively inviting global shipping companies to invest in Pakistan’s maritime sector, leveraging the country’s strategic location.