Upgrading of Karachi port’s capacity ordered

The government has directed Karachi Port Trust (KPT) to streamline its affairs to improve performance and enhance operational capabilities. The decision was taken on Thursday at a high-level meeting held in the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to address the challenges the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) faced. The primary objective of the meeting was to align all stakeholders in resolving the challenges, institute necessary reforms, and upgrade infrastructure to meet international standards. Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Mohammed Jehanzeb Khan chaired the meeting. KPT Chairman Syed Syedain Raza Zaidi informed the participants that the port’s critical issue was the delay in cargo clearance and highlighted the bottlenecks in the customs clearance process. He added that the port needed to upgrade its existing infrastructure, which is not up to international standards, to meet the growing demands. The KPT must also implement digital solutions and automation to improve efficiency.