Pakistan, Oct. 5 -- Amid escalating global uncertainty and a sharp increase in international freight rates due to the ongoing US-Iran conflict and disruptions in global shipping routes, maritime experts are raising concerns over Pakistan's heavy reliance on foreign shipping lines inflating its cost of trade, and urging the country must focus on expanding local flag carriers and introducing its own containerized ships to cut shipping costs.

Maritime expert Ateeq ur Rahman has said that Pakistan needs to focus on expanding its local flag carrier shipping companies and diversifying into containerized shipping to reduce its cost of trade.

In an exclusive interview with Daily Times, Rahman said Pakistan's external trade is facing dual pressu...