ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has announced the freezing of a proposed 5% increase in Karachi Port Trust (KPT) tariffs for fiscal year 2026-27, a move to provide substantial relief to the business community and support trade and economic activity, according to a statement issued on Thursday.
Financial Relief for Businesses
The decision is expected to benefit importers, exporters and consumers by more than Rs500 million, reducing the financial burden on trade. Chaudhry stated, "This measure is fully aligned with the federal government's policy of facilitating the business community, promoting trade and exports, and supporting sustainable economic growth."
Impact on Trade Competitiveness
He noted that ports serve as the backbone of trade infrastructure and that any increase in port charges directly raises the cost of doing business. By freezing the tariff adjustment, the government aims to contain logistics costs and enhance the competitiveness of Pakistani products in international markets.
The minister said the decision reflects the prime minister's vision for strengthening the blue economy and creating a business-friendly environment that encourages investment and trade expansion. Chaudhry expressed confidence that the tariff freeze would help maintain export competitiveness, ease operational costs for importers and contribute to higher trade volumes through Pakistan's ports.
