Pakistan, June 16 -- Karachi Port's crossing of the 2,000-ship mark in the outgoing fiscal year is more than a pleasing statistic for the Maritime Affairs Ministry. It is a reminder that Pakistan's geography, so often invoked in speeches and policy papers, begins to matter only when it is converted into reliability and commercial advantage. The port received 2,003 ships, its highest traffic in eight years, with arrivals up by 7.5 per cent, total tonnage exceeding 84.4 million tonnes and Gross Registered Tonnage rising by three per cent.

The immediate context is clear. The Iran war disrupted shipping patterns across the Arab Gulf, forcing carriers to reassess routes. Pakistan, by virtue of proximity, found itself better placed than usual....