KARACHI: Despite escalating tensions between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan, port operations across the country remain unaffected, with maritime trade continuing as usual, officials confirmed on Friday.
All import and export activities at Karachi’s ports, including Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Port Qasim, South Asia Pakistan Terminals (SAPT), Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited (KGTL), and Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT), are proceeding according to routine schedules. Additionally, dry ports across Pakistan are fully operational, ensuring the steady flow of goods and cargo.
The development comes as India has reportedly moved warships armed with supersonic cruise missiles closer to Pakistan’s coastline following multiple days of cross-border hostilities. In response, Pakistan has heightened security measures across key strategic locations, including its maritime and air defense networks.
According to security officials, naval personnel, KPT security forces, the Maritime Security Agency, and other relevant authorities remain on high alert to safeguard critical infrastructure. Air force support is also available to bolster port security, with a state-of-the-art air defense system deployed to counter any potential aerial threats.
While calls for immediate retaliation continue to rise among certain quarters, military analysts describe the current situation as a “battle of nerves,” with both nations prioritizing diplomatic optics over swift military engagements.
The Pakistan Army, sources emphasize, is operating under a highly professional strategic policy rather than an emotional one, seeking to maintain a favorable standing in the international community while observing India’s actions closely.
Indian military incursions, reportedly driven by political pressure, have resulted in losses, including the destruction of multiple aircraft and drones. Pakistan’s defense strategy has remained calculated, with officials refraining from depleting missile stockpiles despite Indian drone activity aimed at exhausting Pakistani air defense reserves. Instead, forces have manually intercepted aerial threats, demonstrating a restrained yet effective approach.
Moving forward, Pakistan is expected to continue its current policy, aiming to gather global support by highlighting India’s alleged provocations. Should the international community acknowledge India’s actions as unprovoked aggression, Pakistan may adopt a countermeasure focused on depleting India’s air defense resources, including its S-400 and Israeli missile defense systems using a rain of rockets.
Military experts suggest that India’s decision to move its naval fleet toward Pakistan could be a tactical miscalculation, exposing its forces to potential retaliation. While Pakistani defense officials reaffirm the country’s commitment to patience, they assert that any escalation from India will be met with a calculated and decisive response at the appropriate time.
As tensions persist, Pakistani authorities underscore the strategic importance of maintaining port security, recognizing maritime trade as a crucial driver of the national economy. Officials vow to uphold strict security protocols while ensuring uninterrupted operations, reinforcing Pakistan’s commitment to both economic stability and national defense.