Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Tuesday that the Gwadar Port was completely functional and that a new ferry service from Gwadar to the Gulf countries would be launched soon. Speaking at a meeting held on Gwadar Port in Islamabad, the minister said that new shipping lines from the port would also become functional.   He expressed the hope that the ferry service would strengthen Pakistan’s ties with the Gulf countries.

“It would also create job opportunities for the locals besides attracting investment.” “Similarly relations with the Central Asian states and the countries in the Middle East will also be strengthened,” he added. Chaudhry went on to say that new shipping lines would reduce burden on the port. “Development in the maritime sector will lead to the growth of the country’s economy,” he hoped. He told the meeting that steps were being taken to encourage the private sector to invest in Gwadar. “Every possible step will be taken to transform the port into a trade hub.”

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)