Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday ordered fresh reforms at Pakistan’s ports to reduce costs, speed up cargo clearance and boost trade and economic activity.

Chairing a meeting on port reforms, the prime minister directed all departments linked to ports to improve coordination to cut cargo dwell time to a minimum and ease difficulties faced by the business community.

He also ordered a further reduction in port charges, calling ports a critical driver of business activity, connectivity and economic growth.

The prime minister was briefed on proposed facilities and reforms for traders, according to a PM Office statement.

Shehbaz directed the introduction of a transparent system for auctioning abandoned cargo lying at ports. He ordered the establishment of separate yards for such cargo and the hiring of internationally reputed firms to manage the process.

He also called for setting up initial testing laboratories at ports and abolishing unnecessary laboratory testing of cargo to avoid delays.

The prime minister directed authorities to expedite dredging and expansion work at all ports to accommodate larger vessels. He also stressed improving rail connectivity from ports to facilitate inland cargo movement.

During the meeting, PM Shehbaz appreciated the working group headed by Ziad Bashir for presenting concrete proposals.

Ziad Bashir said the transparent privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines had strengthened confidence among the business community.

Officials informed the meeting that work on the National Ports Master Plan was progressing rapidly and that the Port Community System had recently become operational.

They said port fees were being reduced across the country, including a cut of more than 50 per cent in bulk cargo charges at Port Qasim. New investments at several ports were also improving performance.

The prime minister was told that an e-bidding system for auctioning abandoned cargo would be launched soon, allowing nationwide participation.

Officials added that tenders for the expansion and dredging of Karachi ports had been awarded and work would begin shortly.