Islamabad: In a significant move to bolster Pakistan’s cement and clinker exports, Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, chaired a high-level meeting of the Task Force dedicated to this initiative.

The meeting was attended by key figures, including Prime Minister’s Coordinator Rana Ehsan Afzal, Arif Habib, and representatives from various national authorities such as the Port Qasim Authority, Karachi Port Trust, State Bank of Pakistan, Board of Investment, and Gwadar Port Authority.

During the meeting, the Task Force committee provided updates on their progress and ongoing initiatives. Haroon Akhtar Khan announced that two new multi-purpose berths at Port Qasim are nearing completion. He instructed the Port Qasim Authority to deliver a precise timeline for their readiness.

The Chairman of Port Qasim Authority reported that a proposal for an additional 30,000 metric tons of storage capacity is pending approval. He also committed to completing repairs of existing facilities by December 2025.

Karachi Port Trust’s Chairman informed attendees that berths numbered 10 to 17 will be finalized by April 2026.

In a strategic move to aid exporters, Khan directed the State Bank of Pakistan to collaborate with Pakistan’s Ambassador in Dhaka to secure a list of Bangladeshi cement importers. This list is expected to facilitate Letters of Credit for Pakistani banks in Bangladesh, enhancing the competitiveness of Pakistani cement.

To optimize logistics, Khan formed a sub-working group, including representatives from the Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, KPT, and Arif Habib. This group will identify land near the Karachi Northern Bypass for the development of truck marshalling yards, which are expected to reduce transportation costs and time.

Khan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing maximum facilitation to exporters, emphasizing the Prime Minister’s dedication to making Pakistan’s exporters more globally competitive.