PM orders steps to enhance port facilities

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the enhancement of port facilities in Karachi to increase cargo handling capacity, aiming to cater to the needs of Central Asian states and potentially generate billions of dollars for Pakistan.

During a daylong visit to Karachi, the prime minister chaired a meeting concerning the Karachi Port Trust (KPT), the Port Qasim Authority (PQA), and the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC).

At the KPT, PM Shehbaz received a briefing on the operations of KPT, PQA, and the national flag carrier PNSC, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

Highlighting Pakistan’s strategic regional location, Shehbaz discussed his interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Central Asian leaders during his recent visit to Kazakhstan.

“Pakistan provides the most suitable sea trade route for the Central Asian states. The Central Asian states have expressed deep interest in using Pakistan’s ports for trade,” the prime minister stated.

He stressed the financial benefits of upgrading port systems and improving access, saying, “Pakistan can earn billions of dollars in foreign exchange by modernising the systems at the ports and by further improving their access. Development of existing ports in Karachi will increase our exports.”

The prime minister instructed authorities to reduce customs clearance time by installing modern equipment and scanning machinery at both ports.

He stressed the need for priority measures to fully utilise the ports’ capacities and ordered that the Lyari Expressway should remain open 24 hours to ensure uninterrupted goods delivery to and from the Karachi port.

Additionally, he directed for connecting the Malir Expressway to the port to further enhance goods delivery and called for increased rail capacity for cargo transport.

Addressing the PQA, Shehbaz stated, “Fees for the LNG [liquefied natural gas] ships at the Port Qasim should be reduced to the prevailing rates at the international level,” and sought a comprehensive action plan for shipping law regulation.

To improve the PNSC, the prime minister ordered the formulation of a comprehensive action plan to reduce costs and enhance operational efficiency.

The PM reaffirmed the government’s commitment to private sector development, ease of doing business, and investor convenience, stating, “Pakistan’s economy is stable and on the path to development. We are providing all kinds of facilities to the exporters for the development of Pakistan’s export industry.”

The meeting was attended by federal ministers Muhammad Aurangzeb, Jam Kamal Khan, Ahad Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Qaiser Sheikh, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, and other high-ranking officials.

Regional corridor

Meanwhile, speaking during a visit to the Hutchison Port, South Asian Pakistan Terminal where he was given a briefing, the prime minister said the government was taking steps for the development of the seaports for the provision of the shortest corridor to the regional countries, especially to the Central Asian states.

He said with a spur in sea trade by the Central Asian states, China and other countries of the region via Pakistani ports, the country could earn billions of dollars as foreign revenue every year. On the occasion, he directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman to prioritise the installation of the latest scanners at the Pakistani ports.

The prime minister said that the customs authorities in collaboration with the ports authorities should ensure immediate steps for the complete utilisation of the seaports in Pakistan.

The prime minister was briefed that the process for the installation of the latest scanners by the FBR was in the final stages, which would enable rapid scanning of containers in the shortest time with the assistance of the latest gadgets and artificial intelligence.

For the progress of the country, the prime minister said, the ports needed to be also developed. He added that in order to increase the country’s exports, the government was taking measures on a priority basis.

The prime minister was apprised that Hutchison Port, South Asian Pakistan Terminal was amongst the few global terminals located in deep sea, which was being automatically operated upon. The terminal had been equipped with the latest technology and scanners and its operations were of international standards.

The prime minister was further informed that the port could handle the shipment of 35,00,000 containers annually. He appreciated the latest operations of the port.