Karachi: President Asif Ali Zardari has voiced support for developing the Keti Bunder port in southern Sindh, aiming to strengthen Pakistan’s maritime network and boost trade and connectivity, his office announced on Monday.
Situated on the Arabian Sea about 150 kilometres from Karachi, Keti Bunder had been included in Sindh’s list of projects under the multi‑billion‑dollar China‑Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) but remained at the consultation stage without moving forward, according to CPEC records.
The proposal has regained attention after officials reported a more than four‑fold increase in transshipment activity at the country’s ports since the outbreak of the U.S.–Iran conflict in the Middle East in late February.
During a presentation by China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC) on the proposed Keti Bunder port development, President Zardari emphasized that the project must be backed by reliable road links, power and water supplies, industrial infrastructure and other essential facilities.
“Keti Bunder holds considerable promise as an additional maritime gateway that could reinforce Pakistan’s port and logistics network and foster greater connectivity and trade,” the president said, highlighting the need for close technical coordination between Chinese and Pakistani teams.
The development follows weeks after Pakistan’s Maritime Affairs Ministry unveiled a unified incentive package, offering discounts of up to 80 percent on port charges at Karachi Port and Port Qasim to attract more regional shipping traffic.
The Chinese delegation presented a conceptual master plan for the Keti Bunder port, envisioning a new deep‑water maritime gateway with multiple terminals, logistics and supporting infrastructure, according to Zardari’s office. The proposed Phase‑I development features a multi‑purpose terminal with a 500‑metre quay, preliminarily estimated at $522.34 million, his office added.
President Zardari stressed that environmental sustainability should remain a core consideration, especially the protection of the fragile Indus Delta ecosystem and the livelihoods of local fishing communities, in the port’s development.
He urged continued technical engagement to further refine the master plan and to identify a suitable implementation and financing framework.
Also Read
- Ukraine’s Offensive Sparks Fuel Turmoil in Central Asia
- France’s CAC 40 Edges Lower Ahead Of Fed Speech, Nvidia Earnings
- Gossamer Bio Secures Up to $250 Million in Funding to Advance Seralutinib Development for Pulmonary Hypertension
- Reform Proposes Priority Social Housing Allocation for Young British Workers
