The Prime Minister’s Task Force on Maritime Reforms has achieved major progress in restructuring Pakistan’s maritime sector, completing 85 of the 99 reform measures recommended since the initiative was launched in December 2024. According to official details, the Reform Implementation Committee, established under the Prime Minister’s Task Force in December 2024, brought together experts from the Ministry of Defence, the maritime and logistics sectors, including the National Logistics Corporation (NLC), as well as representatives from other relevant institutions.
Comprehensive Reform Package
The committee had proposed a comprehensive package of 99 reforms covering key areas of the maritime sector, including port master planning, shipping, shipbuilding, ship recycling and fisheries. Officials said that within just one and a half years, the committee successfully implemented 85 reform measures. Of the remaining 14 action points, 11 are in the final stages of completion, while work on the remaining three is continuing under a long-term implementation strategy.
Major Completed Reforms
Among the major reforms completed are the preparation of a National Ports Master Plan, the introduction of a uniform port tariff system, and improvements in transit trade procedures aimed at enhancing efficiency and competitiveness. The reforms also include measures to expand port capacity, introduce a modern monitoring system for economic zones, and remove encroachments from land belonging to the Karachi Port. In addition, customs rules for transshipment and bunkering have been introduced, while initiatives have been undertaken to strengthen Pakistan’s local shipbuilding and ship repair industry.
Fisheries and Ship Recycling
The committee also finalized a five-year provincial fisheries development plan, while ship recycling activities have resumed after an eight-year hiatus, marking another significant milestone for the maritime sector. As part of efforts to achieve greater self-reliance in port maintenance, the government has established the National Dredging and Marine Services, a move aimed at reducing dependence on foreign dredging services and strengthening Pakistan’s maritime infrastructure.
Blue Economy Potential
Officials described the reforms as a major step toward modernizing Pakistan’s ports and maritime economy, improving trade facilitation, enhancing logistics efficiency, and unlocking the country’s blue economy potential.
