An Artificial Intelligence Maritime Secretariat had been established to monitor ports, governance

Pakistan posts Rs100bn profit on reform drive  Pakistan’s maritime sector delivered a record Rs100 billion ($360 million) profit in 2025 after a year of sweeping structural reforms that reshaped port operations, slashed costs and unlocked long-stalled policy frameworks, according to the federal ministry for maritime affairs. according to  Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry  who announced that attributing the success to a series of reforms across ports, shipping, and fisheries.

As a “transformative year

Addressing the media, Chaudhry described 2025 as a “transformative year” for the sector, highlighting more than two dozen initiatives including legislative updates, digitization, infrastructure development, and human resource optimisation.

“These reforms are modernising our ports, shipping, and fisheries to unlock the true potential of the blue economy,” the minister said, noting that Pakistan’s regulatory framework had been aligned with international standards, including conventions of the International Maritime Organization IMO  and the Hong Kong Convention on ship recycling.

A National Shipping Policy,

The government also approved a National Shipping Policy, Chaudhry added, aimed at expanding the Pakistan-flagged fleet and reducing reliance on foreign carriers, a longstanding drain on foreign exchange. “Cost-cutting measures have delivered substantial savings,” he noted, highlighting that reduced overtime at the Karachi Port Trust alone saved about Rs70 million per month, while the abolition of 2,152 redundant posts across maritime entities lowered human resource costs by billions of rupees.

Efforts to reclaim encroached land yielded significant results. The Karachi Port Trust and the Port Qasim Authority together reclaimed approximately 150 acres of land valued at around Rs110 billion, while Port Qasim recovered an additional eight acres

The launch of the Pakistan Maritime Century Framework 2047–2147

Chaudhry also announced the launch of the Pakistan Maritime Century Framework 2047–2147 to guide long-term development of the sector. He said an Artificial Intelligence Maritime Secretariat had been established to monitor ports, governance had shifted to a 100 percent paperless system, and the Pakistan Single Window was integrated with the Port Community System to streamline trade procedures. Additionally, an electronic public asset disposal system was introduced to enhance transparency and efficiency

The policy targets annual seafood exports of $2 billion 

On fisheries, the minister stated that stakeholder consultations on the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy had concluded. The policy targets annual seafood exports of $2 billion and aims to create around two million jobs across coastal communities and related industries. “Sustained implementation will be key to maintaining the momentum of these achievements,” Chaudhry said, adding that the gains made in 2025 provide a strong foundation for turning Pakistan’s long coastline and strategic location into a durable blue economic advantage

About : Karachi Port 

Karachi Port recorded a cargo handling milestone of 54 million tons, while the average vessel dwell time was reduced by 24 to 36 hours through improved coordination among port authorities, customs, and other agencies. The reforms aimed to achieve an average vessel turnaround of five days. It is noteworthy that Karachi Port Trust is a federal statutory authority overseeing Pakistan’s principal commercial seaport, responsible for port operations, marine services, land management and infrastructure development.

About : Port Qasim Authority 

Port Qasim Authority manages Pakistan’s second major deep-water port, combining bulk and container cargo handling with industrial zone development and logistics services.

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