[ad_1]
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed to take comprehensive measures to upgrade Karachi Port and provide easy access to the port by rail and road.
The Prime Minister issued the directive while chairing a meeting during his day-long visit to Karachi on Sunday, where he was briefed on Karachi Port Authority (KPT), Port Qasim and Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC).
The high-level meeting was attended by federal ministers Muhammad Aurangzeb, Jam Kamal Khan, Ahad Khan Cheema, Ataullah Tarar, Sindh Governor Kamran Tesori, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Qaisel Ahmed Sheikh, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman and others.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said that measures should be taken to reduce customs clearance time by installing modern machinery and equipment. He also stressed that the Kosovo border should be connected through road and railway networks to facilitate the customs clearance of goods.
He also directed that the Layali Motorway should be open round the clock to ensure unhindered supply of goods to KPT and that the port be connected with Malir Motorway to improve cargo movement. He ordered to increase cargo supply by connecting the port with the railway network. Prime Minister Shehbaz ordered the Port Qasim Authority to reduce charges for LNG cargo ships to bring them in line with international rates.
In addition to ordering PNSC to cut spending, he also sought to develop a comprehensive regulatory strategy for shipping companies.
“Developing the private sector, making it easier to do business and facilitating investors are our top priorities,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the national economy is stable and on the path of growth and development. He added that the “Federal Government is providing maximum facilities to exporters” to boost the country’s export sector.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister asked the authorities to submit a report comparing the performance of KPT with other ports.
At the briefing, Prime Minister Shehbaz said that “Pakistan has an important geographical location in the region”. He gave details of his meetings with Central Asian leaders and the Russian President during his visit to Kazakhstan. He said Pakistan provides a convenient maritime trade route for Central Asian countries and these countries have also expressed interest in using Pakistani ports for trade.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said Pakistan could earn billions of dollars through port modernization. He said Islamabad hopes to boost exports through value-added industries after upgrading the ports.
He directed the port authorities to install modern machinery at the earliest and take effective measures to fully utilize the advantages of the country’s ports.
Karachi is Pakistan’s largest financial and industrial hub with a population of over 20 million, a vibrant business community and several industrial bases, but its deteriorating law and order situation and poor infrastructure have frustrated traders, who often seek government intervention to resolve some of the teething problems in the metropolis.
[ad_2]
Source link
