KARACHI: Pakistan has frozen a proposed 5 percent tariff increase at the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) for the 2026-27 fiscal year, a move expected to save importers, exporters and consumers more than Rs500 million ($1.8 million), Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Thursday.
The decision aligns with the government’s policy of easing financial pressure on businesses and supporting domestic trade and exports.
“Ports play a vital role in Pakistan’s economy, and any increase in port charges directly raises the cost of doing business,” Chaudhry said in a statement issued by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.
He said the tariff freeze would help Pakistani exporters remain competitive in international markets while preventing additional costs for importers using port facilities.
The Karachi port, Pakistan’s largest maritime gateway, handled more than 2,000 vessels during the outgoing fiscal year, recording its highest traffic volume in eight years. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs attributed the increase to stronger shipping activity and improved operational performance.
Chaudhry said the decision also supports Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of expanding Pakistan’s blue economy through sustainable use of marine resources and enhanced maritime development.
“This step will encourage trade, strengthen exports and provide positive support to the national economy at a challenging economic time,” he said.
Pakistan has recently stepped up efforts to attract foreign investment into its maritime and logistics sectors. The government aims to expand port infrastructure, strengthen regional trade connectivity and capitalize on the country’s strategic location along major international shipping routes.
Islamabad is also promoting its Arabian Sea ports, particularly Gwadar, as a regional transshipment hub linking Central Asia, the Gulf, Africa and South Asia.
