Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has said that green shipping, resilient supply chains, the blue economy, digitalisation and artificial intelligence are reshaping global trade and maritime governance.
Addressing the 5th Maritime Summit in Istanbul, Türkiye, the minister said the maritime sector was undergoing a profound transformation and that no country could address emerging challenges or seize new opportunities alone. Strong international partnerships, he said, would be key to achieving sustainable maritime growth.
He congratulated the government and people of Türkiye on successfully hosting the summit, describing it as a landmark reflecting Türkiye's enduring commitment to maritime sovereignty and excellence.
Junaid Chaudhry said Türkiye was not only a trusted friend but also a strategic partner for Pakistan. "Our relationship, founded on shared history and mutual trust, has expanded across defence, trade, transportation, energy and maritime affairs," he said.
Highlighting Pakistan's strategic location at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia and the Indian Ocean, the minister said the country was well positioned to serve as a gateway for regional trade and connectivity.
He said reforms were under way at Port Qasim, Karachi Port, Gwadar Port and the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation to transform Pakistan into a modern maritime, logistics and industrial hub.
The minister invited Turkish investors and maritime enterprises to invest in Pakistan's maritime sector, including port terminals, LNG and energy infrastructure, green ship repair and recycling facilities, maritime industrial zones, business districts, ship fleet expansion, ferry services, logistics and warehousing, free zones, fisheries and seafood processing, as well as decarbonisation and digitalisation initiatives.
Thanking the Turkish government for its hospitality, Junaid Chaudhry expressed confidence that the summit would produce practical ideas and lasting partnerships for the benefit of the global maritime community.
He said Pakistan and Türkiye were ambassadors of peace and called for further strengthening bilateral cooperation to promote peace, sustainable development and collaboration across the maritime sector.
