Karachi: The Ministry of Maritime Affairs has initiated measures to streamline sugar and cement handling operations at Port Qasim following reports of severe congestion caused by the slow discharge of sugar consignments. A meeting chaired by Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry reviewed the situation and its impact on export activities.

According to Radio Pakistan, during the meeting, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry emphasized the need for all ports to enhance their operational efficiency to ensure the smooth and timely discharge of consignments. He directed the Port Qasim Authority to optimize sugar off-loading operations in line with its discharge capacity of around 4,000 to 4,500 tons per day.

The meeting also reviewed directives from the Prime Minister’s Office, which included utilizing Gwadar Port for up to 60 percent of sugar imports to ease the load on Karachi’s terminals.