ISLAMABAD, July 18 (Alliance News): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed authorities to devise a comprehensive plan aimed at attracting private sector investment in Pakistan’s shipping industry, highlighting its critical role in regional trade and foreign exchange earnings.
Chairing a high-level meeting on shipping sector reforms, the prime minister called for the establishment of the National Shipping Corporation on corporate lines to boost operational efficiency and competitiveness.
He emphasized that the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Uzbekistan railway corridor would open new trade avenues, allowing goods from Central Asia to reach global markets through Pakistani ports. “Revitalizing the railway and shipping sectors is essential for making Pakistan a regional trade hub,” he stated.
The prime minister underlined the importance of increasing the number of ships in Pakistan’s maritime fleet to reduce reliance on foreign carriers and save valuable foreign exchange currently spent on freight services.
He instructed the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) to submit detailed reform proposals and a viable business model to ensure sustainability and growth in the sector.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and other senior officials.
