Karachi: Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor has announced that if the government prioritizes the sector, improvements in Pakistan’s ports and shipping industry can significantly improve the country’s financial situation.
On Sunday, he argued that despite an extensive coastline and major ports like Karachi and Gwadar, this industry is being significantly overlooked due to inadequate government strategies.
He observed that small countries like Denmark and Singapore have become international leaders in this sector, and their success is attributed to their governments’ foresight, intelligent strategies, and financial commitments.
“Denmark is a major global shipping hub due to its heritage, progressive thinking, and modern infrastructure.” Shakoor explained. “Major shipping companies like Maersk, DFDS, TORM, and Norden are located here. Denmark is at the forefront of alternative fuels, wind-powered ships, and AI and blockchain-based intelligent logistics.”
Altaf Shakoor attributed this success to the government’s business-friendly tax strategies, incentives for shipping companies, and public-private collaborations investing in environmentally friendly technologies. He also highlighted the availability of top-tier maritime education in Denmark.
Turning to Singapore, he said, “It is the planet’s most active transshipment hub and a maritime services powerhouse.” He pointed out that over 4,000 maritime businesses operate in Singapore, attracted by its business-friendly practices, including no capital gains tax on investments and minimal corporate taxes. Its open trade strategy makes it a global financial center.
He observed that Singapore’s Tuas Port is set to become the planet’s largest automated port by 2040, equipped with a modern technological framework like AI, blockchain, and drone diagnostics.
Shakoor emphasized that Pakistan should follow these examples. He said, “We need to modernize our ports with deep-water passages, AI-powered cranes, automated entry points, and blockchain cargo monitoring frameworks.”
He proposed that Pakistan also needs modern facilities like LNG terminals and CPEC-linked railway freight terminals, similar to China’s Yangshan Port. He advised offering zero-duty and incentive programs like Dubai to enhance Pakistan’s transshipment capacity.
Altaf Shakoor also emphasized establishing maritime engineering universities and keeping port zones like Keamari free from pollution, traffic jams, and encroachments.
He concluded by saying that with dedicated government attention, Karachi and Gwadar ports could rank among the world’s top 20 ports, significantly boosting Pakistan’s financial standing.