Keti Bunder: Zardari urges integrated plan

According to The Express Tribune, President Asif Ali Zardari called on Monday for a coordinated strategy for the planned Keti Bunder Port. He stressed that road links, electricity, water, industrial facilities and other basic services must support the scheme. China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) presented its proposal at the meeting, where the president welcomed the Chinese team and praised Beijing's ongoing eagerness to back Pakistan's infrastructure and sea trade.

Zardari described Keti Bunder as a possible extra maritime gateway that could reinforce the country's port and logistics network and broaden trade links. He called for tight technical cooperation between Chinese counterparts and Pakistani bodies. He also said environmental sustainability must stay central, particularly protecting the sensitive Indus Delta and the livelihoods of local fishermen.

The delegation outlined a conceptual master plan for a new deep-water gateway with several terminals and logistics facilities. The first phase, a multi-purpose terminal featuring a 500-metre quay, carries a preliminary engineering estimate of about $522.34 million. He urged further technical talks to refine the plan and settle on an implementation and financing structure.