Almaty: Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Investment, Qaiser Ahmad Sheikh, has underscored the country’s strategic position and its port infrastructure as crucial assets for enhancing economic ties and connectivity with Central Asian nations.

According to Press Information Department, during the opening session of the Second TIANSHAN Forum for Central Asia Economic and Quality Investment in Almaty, Sheikh emphasized Pakistan’s potential to act as a trade and transit corridor for landlocked Central Asian countries, thereby granting them access to global maritime trade routes. He pointed to Pakistan’s major seaports—Karachi Port, Port Qasim, and Gwadar Port—as pivotal gateways that could enhance regional trade and transportation links.

Sheikh particularly noted Karachi’s status as a primary industrial and commercial center in Pakistan, highlighting its industrial base, business infrastructure, and port facilities as significant opportunities for trade and investment. He further highlighted the role Gwadar Port could play in bolstering regional connectivity and economic cooperation.

Addressing the nation’s demographic landscape, Sheikh remarked on Pakistan’s youthful population, which comprises nearly 60 percent of the total, as a dynamic workforce with considerable potential for economic development. He mentioned the government’s efforts under Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to enhance regional connectivity, address energy needs, and foster an investment-friendly environment.

The minister called on both regional and international investors to explore opportunities in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, logistics, transportation, manufacturing, and trade. He stressed the importance of improved connectivity and reliable energy supplies in unlocking the region’s economic potential.

Sheikh acknowledged the role of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program in promoting transport connectivity and economic integration among member countries, offering a platform for strengthening economic partnerships between Pakistan and Central Asian states. He concluded by noting that regional connectivity involves not just physical linkages but also the creation of investment opportunities and the generation of employment, ultimately fostering shared prosperity in the region.