ISLAMABAD: In a bid to enhance port efficiency and reduce logistics costs, the federal government has constituted a high-level committee tasked with reducing container dwell time at Pakistani ports by up to 70%. The move is aimed at bringing down the average container clearance time from one week to just two days.
The announcement was made by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, during a high-level meeting at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) headquarters. The session was chaired by the minister and attended by FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial, along with senior officials and technical experts from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Pakistan Customs, the Karachi Port Trust (KPT), and other key stakeholders.
The committee will be led by Umer Zafar Sheikh, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs. It will include representatives from KPT, terminal operators, Pakistan Customs, FBR, and other relevant ministries and departments.
Its mandate is to identify and recommend practical solutions for eliminating procedural bottlenecks and streamlining cargo clearance processes. The committee is expected to submit a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations within 10 days.
To support this initiative, a dedicated monitoring room will be established at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs. It will track container movements in real time, from vessel docking to final exit from the terminal. Advanced technologies, including drones and artificial intelligence (AI), will be deployed to enhance visibility and efficiency across port operations.
“This initiative is in line with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s directives,” said Minister Junaid Chaudhry. “Reducing dwell time is a critical step to improving our port infrastructure, lowering trade costs, and boosting Pakistan’s competitiveness in regional and global trade.”
He noted that prolonged delays in container release have been a persistent challenge, significantly raising costs for importers and exporters. “These inefficiencies weaken Pakistan’s position in international markets. We are committed to resolving them and unlocking the full potential of maritime logistics to support our national economic goals.”
The government’s broader vision includes transforming Pakistan’s ports into regional trade hubs by embracing technology and improving operational transparency.
