Govt taking steps for ports’ development: PM

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the government is taking steps for the development of Pakistani ports to provide the shortest sea corridor to regional countries, especially the Central Asian states. He said this during his visit to Hutchison Port, South Asian Pakistan Terminal in Karachi today. The Prime Minister said Pakistan will be able to earn billions of dollars in foreign exchange every year through the trade of Central Asian states, China, and other countries via Pakistani ports. He said the government is taking priority measures to enhance the country's exports for which the development of seaports is of cardinal importance. On the occasion, the Prime Minister was briefed about the terminal's operations. He appreciated Hutchison Port, South Asian Terminal, and found its operations at par with international standards. Shehbaz Sharif was further informed that the terminal can handle 3.5 million containers annually. The Prime Minister instructed the Chairman of the FBR to ensure the install ation of modern scanners at Pakistani ports on a priority basis. Federal Ministers Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Jam Kamal Khan, Qaisar Ahmed Sheikh, and Ahad Khan Cheema, as well as Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chairman FBR and other high officials also accompanied the Prime Minister. Source: Radio Pakistan