Latest news with #MuhammadJunaidAnwarChaudhry
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt unveils maritime chamber
Listen to article Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, has announced the establishment of the Maritime Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) to promote the blue economy and enhance environmental sustainability across Pakistan's maritime sector. Speaking at the Pakistan Business Council Forum on Saturday, according to an official statement, the minister stressed the urgent need to align maritime development with sustainability goals, particularly in the context of increasing climate-related challenges in the Global South. He pointed out that Pakistan's coastal regions are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation, underscoring the necessity of a dedicated platform to drive eco-conscious policymaking. The minister stated that the MCCI will offer a specialised institutional framework to unify stakeholders from across the maritime spectrum, including ports, shipping, logistics, fisheries, and marine services. "This chamber will not only support investment and innovation in the maritime sector but also prioritise sustainability at ports, promote green technologies, and foster carbon reduction strategies," said Chaudhry, as per the statement. He reiterated the government's commitment to public-private partnerships and invited collaboration with environmental experts, industry leaders, and civil society to ensure that maritime growth supports both national and international climate objectives. Chaudhry also reassured the business community that their concerns are being acknowledged and addressed, citing active coordination with the chief minister of Sindh to ensure cohesive and integrated action across all levels of governance. Additionally, the maritime minister outlined the ministry's strategic roadmap for modernising Pakistan's port infrastructure. The focus areas include digitalisation, efficient cargo handling, and embedding environmental sustainability in port operations. The Pakistan Business Council expressed strong support for the initiative, recognising the establishment of the MCCI as a significant step toward building a climate-resilient and economically dynamic maritime economy, the statement added.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Proposed project to connect port to Shahra-e-Bhutto discussed
KARACHI: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sindh on Public-Private Partnership, Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar have discussed the proposed project to connect Karachi Port to Shahra-e-Bhutto (Malir Expressway) at Qayyumabad Interchange. They discussed the proposal during a meeting between Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sindh on Public-Private Partnership, Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, held at the Sindh Investment Department on Thursday. The meeting focused on a wide range of development initiatives including road infrastructure connecting port areas, a comprehensive truck logistics park, desalination plant at Karachi Port Trust (KPT), and integrated strategies for the development of the blue economy. It was informed in the meeting that the distance from Karachi Port to Qayyumabad Interchange is approximately 12 kilometres. On this occasion, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar said that the proposed project will facilitate the movement of heavy traffic to Karachi Port and the heavy traffic of the port will be able to get easy access to the M-9 Super Highway without entering the city roads. Federal Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry termed the project important and useful and assured his full cooperation to make it feasible. Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar said that the implementation of the project will reduce heavy traffic on the roads of Karachi city and increase traffic flow. It was informed in the briefing that the total portfolio of Public Private Partnership projects in Sindh has reached Rs 616 billion and all PPP projects have been declared successful. On this occasion, it was agreed to hold a meeting between the Sindh government and the Karachi Port Trust to make the proposed project of connecting Karachi Port to Shahrah-e-Bhutto feasible. Another major project discussed was the proposed construction of a truck logistics park near the Malir Expressway. Spanning over 300 acres, the park is strategically located due to its close proximity to city centres, port terminals, and direct access to the M-9 Motorway. This facility is aimed at organizing the growing number of heavy vehicles entering and exiting Karachi's ports daily. the installation of desalination plants at KPT was discussed to address Karachi's chronic water shortages. These plants would play a vital role in improving freshwater availability for both residential and industrial consumers, especially in port-adjacent areas. They also exchanged views on expanding the blue economy—harnessing ocean resources for sustainable economic growth while ensuring environmental conservation. The meeting was attended by Secretary Investment Sindh Raja Khurram Shahzad, Director General Public Private Partnership Unit Asad Zamin and other senior officers. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
25-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry unveils scholarship initiative for coastal communities
Listen to article Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has announced the launch of the Maritime Educational Endowment Fund (MEEF) to provide scholarships to coastal communities' deserving and talented children. In a statement on Sunday, Minister Chaudhry stated that the MEEF aims to promote inclusive development by enabling access to quality education for youth from over 70 coastal and fishing communities, particularly in the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan. 'This initiative will help cultivate a skilled maritime workforce essential for the country's future,' he noted. He said the creation of the fund is based on recommendations of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs, and reflects the government's broader commitment to education-driven empowerment in coastal regions. 'The Maritime Educational Endowment Fund underscores our dedication to sustainable human capital development,' said Junaid Anwar Chaudhry. 'By investing in coastal youth today, we are laying the foundation for a resilient and prosperous maritime sector tomorrow.' To finance the MEEF, the Ministry will restructure Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions from organizations operating under its jurisdiction. This redirection of CSR resources aims to create a centralized and sustainable funding mechanism to support long-term educational opportunities. The Minister also announced the formation of a dedicated oversight committee, responsible for ensuring transparency, equitable scholarship distribution, and strong monitoring and evaluation frameworks. In its initial phase, the MEEF will target students of coastal regions, with plans to expand nationally, enabling more students across the country to benefit from the initiative. 'This initiative represents our vision of an educated, empowered, and thriving maritime community,' the Minister added. Highlighting the urgent need for intervention, Minister Chaudhry cited data from recent education surveys showing school dropout rates exceeding 40% among children in coastal regions—particularly in remote districts of Sindh and Balochistan—due to financial constraints and inadequate educational infrastructure. 'The MEEF is more than just a scholarship programme—it is a strategic investment in the future of Pakistan's maritime sector,' the Minister said. 'It symbolizes our enduring commitment to ensuring that no capable student is left behind due to economic hardship.' The launch of the MEEF marks a critical milestone in the Ministry's broader strategy to uplift coastal populations, enhance educational outcomes, and strengthen Pakistan's maritime potential through targeted investment and opportunity, he added.
Express Tribune
30-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
New jetty inaugurated
Boats are moored at Keamari Jetty as fishermen were advised against going into the sea due to a storm warning. Photo: Jalal Qureshi/express Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry inaugurated the newly-constructed Boat Basin Jetty in Keamari involving a cost of over Rs1 billion. Speaking on the occasion, the federal minister said that the jetty has been built on modern lines keeping in mind the convenience and safety of the public. "This project will not only provide convenience to the citizens of Karachi but will also help in preserving the historical importance of Karachi," he said, adding that the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has played an important role in the development of the city and will continue to play its role in the future for the protection of public facilities and the cultural heritage of Karachi. He announced that the historic building of Karachi Port will be converted into a Marine Museum. He clarified that Karachi Port is the pillar of Pakistan's economy. The port is a source of income of billions of rupees for the Government of Pakistan, FBR, Customs and industrialists.
Arab News
15-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan eyes Chinese investment for desalination plants in Karachi
ISLAMABAD: A Chinese construction company has expressed interest in installing desalination plants at Pakistan's Port Qasim to convert seawater into drinking water, the maritime affairs ministry said on Tuesday, amid Islamabad's efforts to resolve its water crisis. Pakistan has the fourth-highest rate of water consumption in the world. The country's agriculture sector uses the most amount of freshwater than any other sector. Rainfall has steadily declined over the past few decades and experts have been warning for years the country will approach 'absolute scarcity' of water by 2025. The Chinese delegation met Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry in Islamabad to discuss joint investment between the two countries. 'One of the key topics discussed during the meeting was the installation of desalination plants at Port Qasim,' the ministry said in a statement. 'The Chinese delegation expressed strong interest in investing in facilities to convert seawater into potable water, an initiative that would address both industrial and domestic water needs.' Chaudhry highlighted that the desalination plants would supply drinking water and support small industrial operations around the port. He added that these proposals were a step toward resolving regional water issues that aligned with Pakistan's climate resilience and environmental sustainability objectives. 'Pakistan's maritime sector offers promising opportunities for foreign investment, particularly in areas such as port development, logistics, maritime tourism and blue economy ventures,' the ministry quoted Chaudhry as saying. He encouraged the delegation to explore investment in maritime tourism, part of Pakistan's economic diversification plan and also invited them to upcoming forums showcasing the country's potential as a regional maritime hub. The ministry added the delegation was ready to carry out feasibility studies and collaborate with local stakeholders to launch the project 'promptly and effectively.' 'We see tremendous potential in contributing to Pakistan's sustainable infrastructure goals,' the ministry quoted Wang Yaodong, the head of the Chinese delegation, as saying. 'Our company is committed to bringing advanced technologies and investment that can help improve living standards and support economic development.'
