AD Ports Group, one of the UAE’s leading maritime and logistics operators, has officially opened its first representative office in Islamabad, marking a key step in deepening its strategic presence in Pakistan and reinforcing its broader ambitions for trade integration across South and Central Asia.
Located near Pakistan’s central government institutions and regulatory authorities, the new office will function as both a client-facing hub and administrative center. Its primary objective is to support infrastructure development, facilitate logistics partnerships, and engage closely with key government and commercial stakeholders.
Strengthening UAE-Pakistan Trade Ties
The inauguration ceremony drew a high-level delegation, including Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers from multiple economic and infrastructure portfolios, and Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi, the UAE Ambassador to Pakistan. Senior executives from AD Ports Group, including Abdulaziz Zayed Al Shamsi and AbdulAziz Al Balooshi, were also in attendance.
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, described the launch as “a key milestone in our global expansion strategy” and emphasized the Group’s long-term vision.
“This move will enable closer collaboration with government entities and strategic partners, positioning AD Ports Group as a key contributor to Pakistan’s economic transformation,” Al Shamisi said. “Our growing footprint, underpinned by significant investments in critical port infrastructure, aligns with our wise leadership vision for trade facilitation, industrial diversification, and sustainable development.”
Islamabad Office to anchor Regional Strategy
AD Ports Group’s entry into Pakistan began in 2022 with a landmark 50-year concession to develop and operate container terminal berths 6–10 at Karachi Port’s East Wharf. This was followed in 2023 by a second 50-year concession to manage berths 11–17 for general and bulk cargo.
Through Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited (KGTL), its local operating entity, the Group has introduced modern port management systems, upgraded cargo handling equipment, and implemented operational efficiencies that have already reduced vessel dwell times and boosted port throughput. These improvements are aimed at positioning Karachi as a competitive trade and logistics hub for the wider region.
Pakistan’s geographic location, linking the Arabian Sea with Central Asia, makes it a natural partner in AD Ports Group’s wider goal of building a seamless trade corridor stretching from China to Europe. The Group has already expanded into Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Georgia along this route.
$295 Million Investment and Further Commitments
The Islamabad office opening follows a string of high-value investments by AD Ports Group in Pakistan. To date, the Group has committed over $295 million for the development of cargo and container terminals at Karachi Port. In July 2024, it signed an agreement to invest an additional $250 million over the next ten years in a state-of-the-art port facility in Karachi.
The Group’s broader Pakistan strategy also includes:
- A Memorandum of Understanding with Pakistan’s Board of Investment to explore a new industrial zone near Karachi Port and Port Qasim
- A strategic agreement with Pakistan Single Window to co-develop a digital trade platform for customs and logistics
- A marine services collaboration with Bahria Foundation focused on dredging and vessel pooling
- A Noatum Logistics initiative to build a multi-modal corridor connecting Pakistan to Central Asia via sea, air, and land routes
These initiatives align with Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to attract foreign direct investment from Gulf countries and to modernize its logistics infrastructure.
Bilateral Cooperation in focus
The launch of the Islamabad office also underscores the broader economic and diplomatic cooperation between the UAE and Pakistan. The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner and the second-largest source of remittances after Saudi Arabia. Both countries have signaled strong interest in deepening bilateral trade, with a focus on maritime, aviation, and logistics sectors.
As Pakistan seeks to position itself as a regional logistics and trade powerhouse, AD Ports Group appears poised to play a pivotal role in this transformation, bringing with it deep expertise in infrastructure development and global trade facilitation.