The Prime Minister's Task Force on Maritime Reforms has completed eighty-four out of ninety-nine reform action points, marking significant progress in Pakistan’s efforts to modernize its ports, shipbuilding and fisheries sectors.

This was stated by Co-Chair of the Task Force Iftikhar Ahmad, Secretary Maritime Affairs Nadeem Mahbub and Member of the FBR while addressing a news conference in Islamabad today.

The Task Force's Co-Chair said Pakistan's ports have registered a notable improvement in global rankings. He said Karachi Port has climbed thirty places, moving from 99th to 69th, while Port Qasim has improved its ranking by eighteen places.

As regards progress in shipbuilding, he said sales tax has been removed on the shipbuilding material in this budget, expressing the confidence that this will give impetus to the shipbuilding sector. He also highlighted improvements in ship breaking and fisheries sectors.

In his remarks, Secretary Maritime Affairs Nadeem Mahbub said that our vision is to make Pakistan a regional transhipment hub. He said cargo handling at Karachi Port increased to 55.8 million tonnes and that of Port Qasim to forty seven million tonnes in the last one year.

The Secretary mentioned that Pakistan Shipping Policy 2026 has been prepared after detailed consultations and it will be presented before the cabinet this month for approval. He said a transhipment policy has also been prepared to facilitate the local and international clients.

The FBR member said the faceless assessment system installed at the ports has led to an increase in revenue growth. He said a state-of-the-art system has also been implemented for cargo handling from ports to upcountry.