Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan, chaired a high-level meeting of the Task Force on enhancing cement and clinker exports.
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister’s Coordinator Mr. Rana Ehsan Afzal, Mr. Arif Habib, representatives of Port Qasim Authority, Karachi Port Trust (KPT), State Bank of Pakistan, Board of Investment, Gwadar Port Authority, and senior government officials.
The Task Force committee briefed the meeting on its progress and ongoing initiatives.
Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan stated that two additional multi-purpose berths at Port Qasim will be completed soon. He directed the Port Qasim Authority to provide a clear timeline for their establishment.
The Chairman of Port Qasim Authority informed that a proposal has already been submitted to the PQA Board for approval of 30,000 metric tons of additional storage capacity. He also assured that repair of existing storage facilities will be completed by December 2025.
The Chairman KPT apprised that berths numbered 10 to 17 will be completed by April 2026.
Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan directed the State Bank of Pakistan to coordinate with Pakistan’s Ambassador in Dhaka to obtain a list of Bangladeshi cement importers. He emphasized that this list will facilitate Letters of Credit for Pakistani banks operating in Bangladesh and enhance the competitiveness of Pakistani cement.
To further streamline operations, Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan constituted a sub-working group comprising representatives from the Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, KPT, and Mr. Arif Habib. The group will identify land near Karachi Northern Bypass for establishing truck marshalling yards.
He underscored that the establishment of these truck marshalling yards will help reduce both time and cost for cement transportation.
Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan reaffirmed that exporters will be provided with maximum facilitation to enhance exports. He highlighted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is working tirelessly every day to make Pakistan’s exporters more competitive in the global market.
