KARACHI: Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Thursday announced the freezing of a proposed 5 percent tariff hike of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) for the financial year 2026-27, saying it will provide a relief of over Rs500 million ($1.8 million) to importers, exporters and the public.
The Karachi port is the biggest port in the country, which received over 2,000 ships in the outgoing fiscal year to record its highest traffic in eight years, according to the maritime affairs ministry.
The surge was attributed to improved shipping activity and enhanced operational performance amid the United States-Iran war, which diverted cargoes to the South Asian country. The war began in late Feb. and recently came to a halt.
Chaudhry said in a statement that the decision to freeze hike in KPT tariff was taken in accordance with the government’s policy to reduce financial burden on the business community and promote domestic trade and exports.
“Ports play a key role in Pakistan’s economy and any increase in port charges directly increases the cost of doing business,” he was quoted as saying by his ministry.
“By keeping the tariff hike frozen, Pakistani exports will be able to maintain their competitiveness in global markets, while the costs of importers using port facilities will also not increase.”
The minister said the decision was in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision to boost the country’s ‘blue economy,’ aiming to promote sustainable growth and improve livelihoods by utilizing marine resources. He did not say how long the hike would remain frozen.
“This move will increase trade activities, strengthen the export sector and provide positive support to the national economy during the current economic challenges,” Chaudhry said.
In recent months, Pakistan has intensified its efforts to attract foreign investment into its maritime and logistics sectors as part of the broader push to develop the country’s blue economy, expand port infrastructure and capitalize on its geographic location near key global shipping lanes.
The South Asian country wants to expand regional trade connectivity through its Arabian Sea ports, particularly Gwadar, which Islamabad has promoted as a strategic transshipment hub linking Central Asia, the Gulf, Africa and South Asia.
