The Ministry of Maritime Affairs has formed a high-level committee to identify suitable locations for new Deep-Sea Ports along Pakistan’s coastline. The move is part of the “Hundred Years Vision 2047–2147,” which aims to expand the country’s maritime infrastructure for long-term trade growth. A detailed feasibility report will be completed within three months.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said the initiative will help Pakistan prepare for future increases in trade and shipping. He announced that he will personally attend the committee’s first meeting next week to start planning the development of three new Deep-Sea Ports, named Port 1, Port 2, and Port 3.
According to the ministry, the committee will study environmental and technical conditions, connectivity requirements, industrial linkages, and security factors to determine the most suitable locations. It will also design a phased development plan and propose potential investment models for government approval.
Chaudhry noted that the project is crucial because the country’s existing ports are already nearing capacity. Port Qasim currently operates at 65 percent, Karachi Port at 52 percent, and Gwadar Port between 5 and 10 percent. He warned that by 2035 to 2045, these ports could reach full capacity due to increasing trade activity and regional demand.
The minister also highlighted the growing cargo movement from Afghanistan, Central Asia, and transshipment routes from the Gulf and East Africa. He said this surge could strain existing port infrastructure if new facilities are not developed in time.
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Chaudhry added that the new Deep-Sea Ports would ensure that Pakistan remains a major maritime hub in the region. The expansion will strengthen trade connectivity, attract foreign investment, and support industrial growth along the coastline, securing Pakistan’s economic future for decades to come.
