ISLAMABAD: Stakeholders have welcomed a new idea floated by Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry to set up a ‘maritime chamber of commerce and industry’ so that all players in this sector were brought on one platform.
Speaking at the Pakistan Business Council Forum in Karachi on Saturday, the minister said the new chamber would promote the blue economy and enhance environmental sustainability across the maritime sector as well.
“Apart from business development, there is an urgent need to align maritime development with sustainability goals, particularly in the face of growing climate-related challenges in the region,” Mr Chaudhry said.
The proposed chamber will provide an institutional framework to unify voices across the maritime spectrum, encompassing sectors such as ports, shipping, logistics, fisheries and marine services.
“This chamber will not only support investment and innovation in the maritime sector but also prioritise sustainability at ports, promote green technologies, and foster carbon reduction strategies,” he added.
Participants of the meeting noted that since coastal regions around the world were vulnerable to challenges like rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation, serious efforts were needed to protect them.
Junaid Anwar outlined the ministry’s roadmap for modernising the country’s port infrastructure, with focus on digitalisation, efficient cargo handling, and environmental sustainability. He reiterated the government’s commitment to public-private partnerships in order to ensure that maritime expansion contributes to economic growth and help the country meet global climate targets.
“The Pakistan Business Council supports the proposal to establish a maritime chamber of commerce,” Junaid Anwar said.
Ship agents association
The Pakistan Ships Agents Association (PSAA) has also welcomed the move by the ministry for an umbrella body to bring all stakeholders at one platform.
“Currently there is no unified platform for the sector. We have industry-wise associations, but the maritime sector does not have any representation at any forum,” said Muhammad Rajpar, the association’s chairman. He added that different stakeholders hold meetings under a number of platforms, but establishing a chamber would bring in broader representation on a permanent basis.
As pointed out by Mr Rajpar, combined meetings of stakeholders are held regularly under the aegis of two main port authorities in the country – Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and Port Qasim Authority (PQA). But invitations are extended to key players only.
Meanwhile, a senior KPT official acknowledged that the combined meetings are held on the basis of their business, highlighting that environmental activists are not involved in meetings with the terminal operators or with those engaged in a work of “technical nature”.
Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2025
