Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for urgent reforms in Pakistan’s shipping industry, directing authorities on Friday to expand the national maritime fleet in order to minimize freight-related foreign exchange outflows.
Chairing a high-level review meeting on the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) and maritime sector reforms, PM Shehbaz emphasized the strategic importance of developing a robust shipping infrastructure to reduce the country’s reliance on foreign carriers.
“A clear plan should be devised to promote private sector investment in shipping,” the prime minister stated, urging authorities to restructure PNSC along modern, corporate lines.
In a forward-looking statement, he said the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Uzbekistan railway project would herald a new era of regional trade, with Pakistani ports serving as a vital global gateway for Central Asian goods.
PM Shehbaz further stressed that strengthening the railway and maritime sectors would enhance transit trade capabilities and help the country generate valuable foreign exchange through localized cargo transport solutions.
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and PNSC have been directed to present a comprehensive reform plan and propose a sustainable business model to revitalize the sector.
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The meeting was attended by key cabinet members, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Foreign Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, along with other senior officials.
As Pakistan seeks to position itself as a regional trade hub, especially with the growing relevance of Central Asian markets, developing indigenous shipping capabilities is likely to be a central pillar in the country’s economic roadmap.
