In a significant achievement, the reform implementation committee has completed 85 of the 99 action items under the Prime Minister’s maritime reform agenda in a year and a half.
The committee, which was set up in December 2024, consisted of experts from the Ministry of Defence, the maritime and logistics sector — including the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) — as well as representatives of other relevant institutions.
The prime minister’s task force had made 99 recommendations aimed at overhauling the country’s maritime sector.
The committee initiated reforms covering harbor master planning, shipping, shipbuilding, shipbreaking and fisheries. Of the remaining 14 action points, 11 are in the final phase of implementation, while work on the remaining three continues under a long-term strategy.
According to a statement, reforms implemented include the preparation of a national port master plan, implementation of a uniform port tariff and measures to facilitate transit trade. Other initiatives include expansion of port capacity, introduction of a modern monitoring system for economic zones and removal of land encroachment of Karachi Port.
The reforms also include the introduction of customs rules for transhipment and bunkering, alongside measures to promote local shipbuilding and ship repair infrastructure.
In the fisheries sector, a five-year provincial development plan has been completed, while ship-breaking has resumed after an eight-year hiatus.
As part of efforts to strengthen domestic maritime capabilities, the government has also established the National Dredging and Marine Services, marking a significant step towards achieving self-reliance in port dredging.
