Relevant regional and international agreements: Ministries, Aviation Division assigned to evaluate
The second consultative meeting of the Working Group on Multimodal Connectivity chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives was held on Wednesday, with participation from key government stakeholders, including the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Finance, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, and the Aviation Division.
During the meeting, the working group presented a comprehensive review of currently operational trade corridors and proposed new routes to strengthen regional connectivity. The Minister for Planning reviewed the existing corridors, while discussions were held on proposed road, rail and maritime linkages.
In follow-up to the previous meeting, the Ministry of Communications had been tasked with reviewing existing transport infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and policy instruments along identified trade corridors.
Highlighting Turk-menistan as a comparatively shorter and viable transit option, he directed that a thorough assessment of this route's feasibility be undertaken. Reflecting on his recent visit to Turkmenistan for the 1st ECO Ministerial Forum on Sustainable Development, the minister noted the country's keen interest in fostering regional connectivity. On a query regarding Turkmenistan's potential use of Gwadar Port, the minister was apprised by Ministry of Maritime Affairs that the port is operational, and 100 acres of land have been allocated for an off-dock terminal. The PC-1 for its development is under preparation for proposed inclusion in PSDP 2025–26. Recalling the prospect of Gwadar–Oman sea connectivity as discussed in previous meeting, the minister advised the concerned ministry to share progress on this initiative in the next meeting.
Minister Iqbal further emphasised the need for effective phasing in the planning of the multi modal connectivity network to identify infrastructural and policy challenges that may arise in the development of new trade corridors.
The Ministry of Communications presented a three years' summary of the movement of NLC trucks operating through three key trade corridors: the Trans-Afghan Corridor, the North-South Corridor, and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Ministry of Communications briefed the minister that in 2023, Pakistan transported the highest number of trucks to Uzbekistan, as compared to other Central Asian countries. In 2024, Afghanistan took the lead as the primary recipient of Pakistani trucked exports.
The official from Ministry of Communications also briefed the minister that current figures for 2025 indicate that the top three countries to have received Pakistani trucked exports so far had been China, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, respectively. 'These trends reflect Pakistan's growing engagement with neighbouring markets and underscore the importance of developing efficient multimodal trade corridors to enhance regional connectivity and economic integration,' stated the planning minister.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
Five nations owe Pakistan $304m, audit reveals
An audit has revealed that five countries owe Pakistan tens of millions of dollars, with the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) recommending that the matter be taken up at the appropriate diplomatic level for recovery, it emerged on Tuesday. Officials at the Ministry of Economic Affairs said they were pursuing the recovery through the Foreign Office, using diplomatic channels and joint ministerial committees. Reminder letters and demand notices have also been sent to the five defaulting countries. According to the audit report, the list of defaulters includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Iraq, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau, from which Pakistan has so far failed to recover $304.5 million. The report said Pakistan extended export credit to these countries during the 1980s and 1990s. In Pakistani currency, the unpaid amount exceeds Rs86 billion. Iraq tops the list of debtors, with $231.3 million outstanding, followed by Sudan, which owes $46.6 million. Bangladesh's outstanding debt amounts to $21.4 million, relating to sugar plant and cement projects. Guinea-Bissau owes $3.653 million. The report notes that the AGP had also flagged the unpaid amounts in the 2006-07 audit, at which time reminder letters and demand notices were sent.
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan urges UNSC to protect oceans
Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, speaks at the UN Security Council meeting on Israel-Iran conflict on June 13, 2025. Courtesy: X@PakistanUN_NY Underscoring that oceans must remain zones of peace, Pakistan has drawn UN Security Council's attention to the unchecked naval build-ups, militarization of strategic waters and pursuit of regional influence "through muscle-flexing", as the 15-member body debated maritime security on Monday. "Attempts to dominate maritime spaces or marginalize coastal States must be rejected; they are counterproductive", Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan, said in the high-level debate convened by Panama, which holds the Council's presidency for the month of August. "In some quarters," he added, "the seas are seen not as a shared domain, but as a stage for asserting primacy." Although the Pakistani envoy did not name any country, his comments about naval build-ups and attempts to dominate waterways were seen here as mainly directed at India. "The oceans connect us all," Ambassador Asim Iftikhar told delegates. "As a coastal State at the confluence of major sea lanes in the northern Arabian Sea, Pakistan accords the highest importance to a secure, rules-based maritime domaincritical to our national security, economic resilience, regional connectivity, and food and energy security."
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Jawad Ahmad releases new patriotic anthem ahead of 78th Independence Day
Renowned Pakistani singer, Jawad Ahmad, has released a new song to mark Pakistan's 78th Independence Day. The song, which aims to inspire the nation, highlights the importance of patriotism and unity for all the people living in Pakistan. The anthem, created by the leader of the Barabri Party Pakistan, presents a unique perspective on national pride. It emphasises the value of the homeland and underscores the collective responsibility of citizens towards their country. Ahmad's powerful voice brings the song to life, with direction by Dilwaiz Ali Khan. The music for the anthem was composed by Sajid Hussain and Faisal Iqbal. The song begins with themes of courage, strength, determination, passion, and hard work, encapsulated in the powerful words "This is my country, these are my people." The lyrics of the anthem portray the spirit of Pakistanis, urging them to live fearlessly like eagles, fight bravely like lions, and stay united in love and defence of their homeland. The song serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made for the country and the importance of standing together as one nation.
