Pakistan Offers Bangladesh Use of Karachi Port to Facilitate Trade with China
Pakistan Offers Bangladesh Use of Karachi Port to Facilitate Trade with China
Pakistan has proposed that Bangladesh use the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) to facilitate trade with China and other countries. The Karachi Port, one of South Asia's busiest and most strategically important deep-water harbors, stands out as a key node in Pakistan's regional logistics network.
The proposal was presented by Pakistan's Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik at the 9th Bangladesh–Pakistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting held in Dhaka on October 27, 2025. Bangladesh was represented by Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Finance Adviser to the interim government.
A strategic move in regional trade
Pakistan's proposal aims to diversify regional trade routes in South Asia and strengthen logistics flows connected with China. The geographic location of Karachi Port serves as a bridge between China's western regions and sea routes to the Middle East and Africa, particularly within the framework of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The proposal offers Bangladesh a new option to support its growing trade volume with China and create a more competitive export route across the Indian Ocean.
Opportunities for Bangladesh
Much of Bangladesh's industrial exports currently flow through Chittagong Port. However, this port occasionally suffers from congestion due to infrastructure and capacity constraints. The entry of Karachi Port could increase Bangladesh's supply chain flexibility and accelerate its access to Chinese, Central Asian, and Middle Eastern markets.
According to experts, such cooperation carries the potential to revive economic relations that have been limited between the two countries for some time. Bangladesh currently imports significant quantities of industrial machinery, textile equipment, and chemicals from China; Pakistan, meanwhile, seeks to boost logistics revenues by channeling this flow through Karachi.
Geopolitical implications
Pakistan's proposal coincides with a period when trade corridors in South Asia are being reshaped. Many countries in the region are seeking alternative routes to sea lanes dominated by India. Karachi's opening to Bangladesh could make it easier to conduct regional trade through non-Indian channels.
However, observers note that this initiative will require careful diplomatic balance in India–Bangladesh relations. India is both one of Bangladesh's largest trading partners and a leading player in South Asian infrastructure projects.
Economic vision and regional integration
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik stated after the meeting:
"Karachi Port is a strategic center not only for Pakistan but for all of South Asia. Bangladesh's utilization of this port will accelerate regional trade integration," he said.
Bangladesh indicated that it would examine the proposal from a "technical and economic feasibility" perspective. According to observers, if the project moves forward, it could represent Pakistan's soft power gains in regional logistics cooperation.
Key Points:
Pakistan has proposed that Bangladesh use Karachi Port Trust for trade.
Objective: Facilitate Bangladesh–China trade and strengthen regional logistics flows.
The proposal was presented at the 9th Bangladesh–Pakistan JEC meeting.
Bangladesh is in the process of evaluating the proposal economically.
Karachi Port is one of the key maritime links of CPEC and BRI.
The initiative carries strategic importance in developing alternative trade routes to India.
According to experts, the project could strengthen regional trade integration and initiate a new period of economic cooperation between the two countries.
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