Pakistan seeks $2 billion Chinese funding for CPEC

The federal government has finalised the agenda for the upcoming Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting with China, seeking financing of over $2 billion for major infrastructure projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).


https://tribune.com.pk/story/2566723/pakistan-seeks-2-billion-chine...

According to sources, the agenda includes the Karakoram Highway (KKH) Phase II, the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project, and the East Bay Expressway.

Pakistan has requested $1.5 billion in financing for KKH Phase II and the East Bay Expressway, while an additional $500 million has been proposed for the Rohri-Multan section of the ML-1 track.

The realignment of KKH Phase II alone is estimated to cost around Rs500 billion, while the 14-kilometre East Bay Expressway is projected to require over Rs30 billion.

Sources added that China will cover 85 per cent of the expenses for both the KKH Phase II and the East Bay Expressway projects.

Pakistan government approves new Gwadar shipyard project - Maritime Gateway

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Under the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government has approved the “New Gwadar Shipyard Mega Project” and activated the Project Management Cell (PMC). It aims at utilising all available resources for laying down fresh foundation of all-inclusive development of Gwadar Port under CPEC phase II. Having allocated Rs 200 million for the formation of PMC, relevant appointments will be sought to run entire affairs as per prescribed SOPs. The ‘New Modern Shipyard’ in Gwadar will incentivize commercial shipbuilding and repair industry, create new jobs and spur economic growth, according to Gwadar Port Authority.

Since land disagreement issue is all set to be resolved relevant TORs, tenders will be floated seeking international companies to participate. GPA had demarcated 750 acres of land for the new shipyard project. Apart from offering essential dry-docking facilities to the cargo ships visiting Gwadar Port, the Gwadar Shipyard would also offer services for building new ships.

The project expected to be started this year, and employment opportunities will be provided to experts and workers from Balochistan on the project on priority. Gwadar Shipyard Mega Project would be equipped with the latest technology, and this international standard project could give Pakistan a prominent place among the world-class shipyards.

Pakistan $100 billion maritime plan


https://www.arabnews.com/node/2621610/pakistan

KARACHI: Pakistan is implementing a $100 billion maritime development plan aimed at expanding its national shipping fleet, building new ship repair and recycling facilities, overhauling fisheries and upgrading maritime education, Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Thursday.

Pakistan has a 1,046-km coastline along a major global trade route, but its maritime economy has remained underdeveloped for decades, with limited commercial fleet capacity, outdated port infrastructure and declining seafood exports. Successive governments have identified the blue economy as a potential driver of growth, energy security and climate resilience, but investment and execution have lagged.

“Under the Prime Minister’s guidance, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs is implementing the ‘Maritime @100’ vision, a $100 billion blue economy plan by 2047,” Chaudhry said at the closing ceremony of the flagship Pakistan International Maritime Exhibition and Conference (PIMEC) in Karachi.

“The sea is our next frontier for trade, prosperity, energy, food and climate resilience,” he said. “Pakistan’s future lies in the sea.”

As part of the plan, Pakistan’s first Green Ship Repair and Recycling Yard will be established at Port Qasim, one of the country’s main commercial ports near Karachi that already hosts major steel and industrial facilities. The project will be developed as part of an integrated “Sea to Steel Maritime Industrial Complex” designed to support the revival of Pakistan Steel Mills, the state-owned steelmaker that has remained largely non-operational for years.

Chaudhry said the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) fleet has increased from 10 to 12 ships, with three more expected within two months. Tenders for 12 additional vessels are underway, with the fleet targeted to reach 30 ships by 2026 and 60 within three years.

He said Pakistan had also granted its first private ferry operator license, opening sea routes for passenger movement and coastal trade.

On Gaddani, one of the world’s largest ship-breaking yards long criticized for unsafe conditions and environmental pollution, the minister said a Rs12 billion ($43 million) modernization program is underway to meet Hong Kong Convention safety and environmental standards, shifting toward cleaner and more regulated recycling capacity.

Chaudhry said the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy 2025–2035 has been finalized, targeting a doubling of seafood exports within one year through upgraded cold-chain logistics, traceability certification and deep-sea fishing capacity.

A Maritime Education Endowment Fund has also been created, and the Pakistan Marine Academy will be upgraded into a Maritime University to train seafarers, marine engineers, technologists and ocean science specialists.

The minister said the government’s century-long maritime strategy, termed “Maritime Century (2047–2147),” envisions developing new deep-sea ports, AI-enabled shipbuilding and recycling complexes, “Made-in-Pakistan” vessels and 100 percent green and digital ports with multimodal connectivity.

By 2047, Pakistan aimed to emerge as a global blue economy hub driving sustainable growth across the North Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean, the minister concluded.