Islamabad: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has stressed the need to facilitate the private sector in bringing more shipments to Gwadar. He was chairing a meeting in connection to the operationalization of Gwadar Port in Islamabad today. The meeting focused on devising short- and medium-term strategies to operationalize Gwadar Port effectively within six months.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Minister emphasized the importance of comparing Gwadar's trade costs with other regional ports. He urged the private sector to share detailed proposals to enhance trade through the port, assuring full government support in providing relevant data. The Minister highlighted Gwadar Port's capability to handle significant cargo volumes, citing past performance of 600,000 tons of cargo handled efficiently.

He directed the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to draft a comprehensive and actionable roadmap for Gwadar's development, incorporating strategies to enhance industrial zones and optimize traffic along the western provincial route.