Pakistan provides easiest maritime trade access for Central Asia: PM

Karachi: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday directed to keep the Lyari Expressway open round the clock for cargo to ensure uninterrupted transportation of goods to and from the Karachi Port Trust.

Chairing a meeting regarding the Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Authority and Pakistan National Shipping Corporation in Karachi, he said the Malir Expressway should be connected with the seaport to ensure swift delivery of goods.

Besides, he advised to enhance railways' capacity of shifting goods to the Karachi Port.

The Prime Minister also advised to decrease fees for LNG ships at the Port Qasim at par with the existing rates at the international level.

He stressed the need to ensure early installation of state of the art scanning machinery at the seaports. He said steps should be taken for the capacity building of Pakistani ports to take full advantage of their potential.

Shehbaz Sharif called for measures to decrease the customs clearance time by installing modern equipment and machinery at the Port Qasim and Karachi Port Trust.

He said exports of value addition industries can be increased by developing the existing ports in Karachi.

The Prime Minister also sought a comprehensive action plan for the regulation of shipping lines.  He further advised the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation to present an action plan for effective operations and decreasing its cost. He said Pakistan can earn foreign exchange worth billions of dollars by ensuring a modern system and better accessibility at its ports.

Shehbaz Sharif said the development of the private sector, ease of doing business, and facilitation for investors are top priorities of the government. He said Pakistan's economy is stable and moving towards development and progress.  He reiterated to provide all possible facilities to exporters for the development of the export sector of the country.

He highlighted that Pakistan provides the most convenient sea trade route for the Central Asian states, which have a keen interest in utilizing it.

The meeting was given a detailed briefing about the operations of the Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim, and the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation.

On the occasion, the Prime instructed to present a comparative report regarding the performance of the Karachi Port Trust and other ports of the region.