Summary National plan, digital customs and dredging initiatives reshape port operations
KARACHI (Dunya News) – Pakistan has completed 85 of 99 action points under the prime minister’s maritime reform agenda, marking significant progress in an overhaul aimed at improving ports, shipping and related industries.
The Reform Implementation Committee achieved the milestone within 18 months of its establishment in December 2024. The reforms span port planning, customs, shipping, shipbuilding, ship recycling and fisheries.
Port upgrades
Key measures include the preparation of a national ports master plan and introduction of a uniform port tariff across major ports. Authorities have also taken steps to facilitate transit trade, expand port capacity and introduce a modern monitoring system for economic zones.
Efforts to ease congestion have included shifting more than 2,000 containers off-dock, while dredging improvements are being supported by the establishment of National Dredging and Marine Services. Encroachments from Karachi Port land have also been removed.
Wider reforms
Customs modernisation has brought automated duty drawback processing and faceless customs, aimed at improving transparency and operational efficiency. New customs rules covering transshipment and bunkering have also been introduced.
The programme includes measures to strengthen local shipbuilding and ship repair infrastructure. A five-year provincial development plan for fisheries has been finalised, while ship recycling has resumed after an eight-year hiatus.
Of the 14 outstanding action points, 11 are in the final stages of implementation, while the remaining three are being pursued under a long-term strategy. The committee includes experts from the Ministry of Defence, maritime and logistics sectors, including the National Logistics Corporation, alongside representatives of other relevant institutions.
