Spotlight on Port Qasim dredging plans

Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, met Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of UAE-based DP World, at the World Economic Forum this week.

The Prime Minister witnessed the signing of Inter-Governmental Framework Agreements between the Ministries of Communications, Railways and Maritime Affairs of Pakistan and the Government of Dubai, represented by DP World.

The Agreements cover potential opportunities in Pakistan for:

• Dredging works of navigation channels at Port Qasim,

• The development of a coastal economic zone,

• The development of a dedicated freight corridor,

• Multi-modal logistics park,

• Rail freight terminals.

Port Qasim has largest industrial zone of Pakistan spread over 15474 acres. It has more than 400 industrial/commercial units in operation.

The plans for future include, deepening, widening of main navigational channel along with commissioning of alternate channel.

Dualization of 26 km main access road, upgradation of existing industrial waste treatment plant and another combined effluent treatment plant are also in the planning stage.