ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved a comprehensive revamp of Pakistan’s maritime sector with a goal to increase revenue from Rs2,610 billion to Rs8,000-9,000 billion.
Key Objectives of the Plan
The overhaul focuses on:
✅ Ports’ governance & restructuring
✅ Revenue generation & investment facilitation
✅ Digitisation for efficiency
✅ Shipbuilding & repair industry revival
✅ Expansion of fisheries & aquaculture
Implementation Strategy
- A high-level implementation committee is in place, headed by the Minister for Defence, with members from law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and port authorities.
- The committee meets fortnightly to monitor progress and ensure timely execution of reforms.
- 120+ action items have been identified, with strict deadlines for implementation.
Major Reforms Underway
📌 Creation of Pakistan Maritime & Sea Port Authority (PMSPA) by March 30, 2025
📌 Appointment of CEOs for Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Port Qasim Authority (PQA), and Gwadar Port Authority (GPA)
📌 Upgrading Gwadar Port under CPEC, including:
- Hinterland connectivity
- Breakwater construction
- Second-phase expansion to make it a deep-sea port
📌 24/7 Operations at KPT (currently restricted to 7 hours/day)
📌 Shipbuilding & Repair Industry Development
📌 Remodeling Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC)
📌 National Ports Master Plan Update
📌 Ports Tariff Standardisation & Reducing Dwell Time
📌 Improved Trans-shipment Operations & New Terminal Construction
📌 Third-party Performance Audits of Ports
📌 Harbor Dredging & Encroachment Removal at KPT
📌 KPT-Pipri Railway Link Rehabilitation
📌 Attracting Chinese Seafood Industry Investment in Pakistan
📌 Cluster Shrimp Farming in Sindh & Balochistan
Challenges & Economic Impact
🔴 KPT’s Inefficiency:
- 80% of its revenue is spent on salaries & pensions due to mismanagement & overstaffing.
- Lack of digitisation is increasing operational inefficiencies.
🔴 No Pakistani Cargo Ships:
- Pakistan does not own a single cargo container ship, leading to a foreign exchange loss of $5-8 billion per year.
🔴 Declining Shipbreaking Industry:
- Gaddani was once the world’s leading shipbreaking hub but has declined due to high taxes & weak policies.
Why This Matters
Pakistan has one of the most strategic coastlines, but its maritime sector is underperforming due to poor planning & lack of coordination. The revamp plan aims to unlock billions in trade revenue and strengthen Pakistan’s global maritime presence.
