Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, announced the formation of a high-level committee to drastically reduce container dwell time at Pakistani ports by 70%, potentially decreasing wait times from a week to just two days.

This initiative follows directives from Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. The announcement came during a meeting at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) headquarters, chaired by Chaudhry and attended by FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial, along with officials from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, FBR, Customs, and Karachi Port Trust (KPT).

The committee, led by Additional Secretary of Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Umer Zafar Sheikh, will include representatives from all involved parties, including KPT, Pakistan Customs, terminal operators, FBR, and other relevant ministries and organizations. Their mandate is to identify and address procedural obstacles hindering efficient cargo clearance. They are expected to submit recommendations within ten days.

To oversee this process, a dedicated monitoring facility will be established at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, employing a team to track container handling times. Technological advancements like drones and artificial intelligence will monitor vessel activity from docking to container exit.

Minister Chaudhry stressed that this change is strategic, aiming to boost port performance, reduce logistical expenses, and enhance Pakistan”s position in regional trade. He noted that extended container release delays add costs for importers and exporters, negatively impacting the competitiveness of Pakistani ports.

The government hopes to reduce congestion, expedite cargo flow, and bolster the maritime logistics sector”s contribution to national economic objectives through these measures.