Ministry, KPT chief lauded for safeguarding exporters’ interests

KARACHI: Chairman Businessmen Group Zubair Motiwala and President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Muhammad Rehan Hanif have highly appreciated Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Chairman Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed (Retd) and KPT Trustee Abdullah Zaki for facilitating the country’s export sector through substantial relief in storage and demurrage charges at Karachi Port.

Zubair Motiwala and Rehan Hanif paid glowing tribute to Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry for spearheading a series of decisive and timely measures aimed at safeguarding exporters’ interests during a period of heightened global shipping disruptions, particularly affecting Gulf-bound consignments.

They also commended Chairman KPT Shahid Ahmed and KPT Trustee Abdullah Zaki for their proactive role in engaging terminal operators and ensuring swift implementation of relief measures for the business community.

They noted that following effective coordination by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and KPT, leading terminal operators including Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited (KGTL), Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT), and South Asia Pakistan Terminals (SAPTL) agreed to provide significant concessions in storage and demurrage charges for export containers, particularly those destined for Gulf countries that had been held up due to extraordinary circumstances.

This pro-business step would surely provide much-needed financial breathing space to exporters struggling with rising logistics costs, they added.

Zubair Motiwala and Rehan Hanif emphasized that this landmark initiative reflects the government’s strong commitment to protecting Pakistan’s export competitiveness at a time when global maritime trade has been facing unprecedented challenges, including regional tensions and supply chain disruptions.

They were of the view that these measures are part of a broader reform agenda under Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, who has been actively pursuing policies to transform Karachi Port into a regional transshipment hub, including incentives in port dues, berthing, and storage to boost trade activity and attract international shipping lines.

The timely reduction in storage and demurrage charges has come as a major relief for exporters, particularly those dealing with Gulf markets, who were facing severe financial stress due to unexpected delays. This intervention has not only reduced cost pressures but has also restored confidence within the business community, they stated.

Chairman BMG and President KCCI further remarked that such business-friendly policies are essential for enhancing Pakistan’s export performance, improving port efficiency, and strengthening the country’s position in regional and global trade corridors.

They expressed hope that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and KPT would continue to engage with stakeholders and introduce further facilitative measures to streamline port operations, reduce the cost of doing business, and fully realize the potential of Pakistan’s blue economy.

While reaffirming KCCI’s full support to the government’s reform initiatives, Zubair Motiwala and Rehan Hanif reiterated the Chamber’s commitment to working closely with all relevant authorities to promote sustainable economic growth and export-led development.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026