Islamabad: The Ministry of Maritime Affairs hosted a critical meeting aimed at addressing a range of operational and logistical challenges at the Karachi Port Trust (KP) and enhancing overall port efficiency in Pakistan. Chaired by Mohammed Jehanzeb Khan, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, the session convened key stakeholders from various sectors to orchestrate a cohesive strategy for port improvements.

According to Press Information Department, the assembly included dignitaries such as Syed Zafar Ali Shah, Secretary Maritime Affairs, and other significant figures from sectors including railways, commerce, communications, banking, and port authorities. The primary focus was on identifying immediate issues like cargo clearance delays, uncleared goods backlog, and inefficiencies in cargo transportation. Additionally, the need for better infrastructure, digitization, and automation within port operations was highlighted to align KP with international standards.

Deliberations underscored the urgency of developing a comprehensive plan that not only tackles KP’s operational challenges but also ensures the optimization of all Pakistani ports. The meeting outlined a series of reformative steps, from improving regulatory frameworks to enhancing human resource management. The stakeholders discussed potential legislative and innovative reforms necessary for improving port efficiency.

The session concluded with a directive for all concerned agencies to prepare a detailed strategy comprising both short-term and medium-term plans to monitor the progress. This strategy aims to foster collaborative efforts among all stakeholders, emphasizing that the success of the reforms will be measured by collective outcomes.