ISLAMABAD: The Abu Dhabi (AD) Ports Group on Thursday agreed to review the terminal cargo handling charges in response to Pakistan’s demand to cut them.

The government has formed a committee to negotiate the cargo handling charges with the AD Ports Group to make port operations more business-friendly and competitive.

The committee, comprising Karachi Port Trust Chairman retired Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed and the AD Ports Group country representative will submit its recommendations within 7 days.

The decision was taken at a meeting between the AD Ports delegation and Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry to reduce cargo handling charges. Regio­nal CEO Abdulaziz Zayed Al Shamsi led the AD Ports Group delegation.

The maritime minister emphasised the need to expedite the procurement of mechanisation and digitisation equipment, including cranes and loaders, to enhance efficiency and improve cargo handling at KGTL and KGTML terminals.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2026