PM orders reforms at ports to boost trade, connectivity
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• Seeks steps to reduce dwell time, transparent auction of abandoned cargo
• Distributes laptops at AJK varsity, urges students to stand for ‘facts & responsibility’
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed measures to enhance the capacity of seaports to accelerate trade, connectivity, and economic activity through a reduction in port fees and an end to unnecessary delays.
Chairing a meeting of the ports working group, the premier stated that various departments associated with ports should enhance coordination to facilitate the business community so that cargo dwell time could be reduced among other measures.
A statement by the PM’s Office said that he was presented with recommendations regarding facilities and reforms at ports for the business community. The PM said a transparent system for the auction of abandoned cargo at ports should be introduced, while separate yards should be established at various ports for the same.
He also said the international companies should be engaged for the task.
The PM said initial testing laboratories for cargo inspection should be established at the ports, adding that unnecessary laboratory testing of cargo should be abolished. He also directed that different types of port charges should be further reduced.
The prime minister directed that dredging and expansion work on all ports should be expedited so that large vessels could be berthed there. He also stressed the improvement of rail connectivity from ports for inland cargo transportation.
During the meeting, the PM was informed that work on the National Ports Master Plan was progressing rapidly and that a port community system had recently been made operational.
The PM was apprised that an e-bidding system for auctioning abandoned cargo would be introduced soon, enabling all citizens to participate remotely. He was also informed that the port fees were being reduced and bulk cargo fees at Port Qasim were recently slashed by 50 per cent.
The meeting was informed that tenders for the expansion and dredging of Karachi ports had already been awarded.
Laptop distribution in AJK
In Muzaffarabad, the PM attended a laptop distribution ceremony at the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, saying that investment in youth education and skills was an investment in the future.
Addressing the ceremony as he formally launched the distribution of laptops under the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Programme, the PM said the laptops were a means to connect young people to the world of knowledge and opportunity.
He urged students to play a positive role in the digital and social media space, cautioning against misinformation and fake news. Truth and falsehood were often shaped by narratives, he said, adding that the educated youth “must stand for facts and responsibility”.
The prime minister also announced major education initiatives for Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including the approval of four Danish schools, a planned tech-focused Danish university, and the revival of the Prime Minister’s Education Endowment Fund to provide scholarships to talented but underprivileged students from AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan and other parts of the country.
He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s political, moral and diplomatic support for Kashmiris and called for unity, hard work and faith to achieve national goals. He said disciplined effort, unity and belief were essential to making Pakistan strong and prosperous.
AJK PM Faisal Mumtaz Rathore said that the laptop programme and new education projects reflected the federal government’s trust in Kashmiri youth and would help them compete nationally and internationally.
UAJK Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Nasir Jamal Khattak said the university was proud to host a ceremony celebrating merit and academic achievement. He said access to technology would enhance research, innovation and learning outcomes for students.
Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2025
