Islamabad (GNP): President Asif Ali Zardari has advocated for a comprehensive master plan to develop the proposed Keti Bunder Port.
Speaking to a delegation from the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), he emphasized that establishing the port requires robust supporting infrastructure, including dependable road links, stable power and water utilities, and dedicated industrial zones.
Highlighting the strategic potential of Keti Bunder as a secondary maritime gateway to boost national trade and logistics, President Zardari urged close technical cooperation between Chinese experts and Pakistani authorities.
He specifically called for strict adherence to environmental safeguards to protect the vulnerable Indus Delta ecosystem and safeguard the livelihoods of local fishing communities.
During the meeting, the CHEC delegation outlined their Conceptual Master Plan, which envisions a deep-water facility housing multiple specialized terminals. The proposed initial phase features a 500-meter multi-purpose quay with an estimated engineering budget of $522.34 million.
Chinese Delegation (CHEC): Wu Ping (Chief Representative in Pakistan), Wang Zongde (Head of Marketing), Xu Tielin (Engineer), and Ali Raza (GM of Strategy and Marketing).
Pakistani Officials: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Senators Saleem Mandviwala and Sherry Rehman, Sindh Energy/P&D Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, Special Assistant for Investment & PPP Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, and Chief Secretary Sindh Syed Asif Hyder Shah.
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The Port of Keti Bandar is a minor seaport in the town of Keti Bandar, in the middle of the Indus River delta and near the Arabian Sea, in Thatta District, Sindh province, Pakistan. It is approximately 90 kilometres (56 mi) southeast of the much larger Port of Karachi. The port facilities comprise a fishing boat pier and a coast guard base operated by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency.[2]
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
