Islamabad, February 10,2026: The Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs has directed authorities to take strict action against corruption and cancel all illegal land allotments across the maritime sector. The instructions were issued during a meeting chaired by Committee Chairperson Senator Muhammad Faisal Vawda, which reviewed port performance, dredging operations, land management, and export facilitation.
The committee ordered a comprehensive review of pending land allotments and stressed the immediate vacation of encroached land. Officials informed the panel that 239 containers remain delayed at the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT), largely due to customs issues and the involvement of international firms. It was further revealed that corruption linked to container clearance amounts to nearly $40 million annually, with about Rs112,000 allegedly taken per container. KICT was directed to clear the backlog and eliminate corrupt practices.
Senator Vawda raised serious concerns over the Fisheries Harbour Authority, alleging a lack of transparency and significant land mismanagement at Korangi Fisheries. He also claimed that some officials were illegally sharing staff salaries with senior officers in exchange for absence from duty, calling for strict action. The committee observed that several autonomous boards require review and emphasized restructuring or removing ineffective members. Authorities were also directed to compile data on land holdings, including those under fisheries.
Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar assured the committee that the ministry is moving in a positive direction and addressing systemic challenges through a phased approach. He highlighted the establishment of a National Dredging Company aimed at reducing costs and making exports more competitive.
The Chairman of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) reported the second-highest cargo volume in the port’s history, with a 9% increase in container handling and record cargo throughput last year. Work is underway to deepen the port’s draught to accommodate vessels of up to 100,000 tons, while the development of the largest bulk export facility—with an 8 million-ton storage capacity—is expected to boost clinker exports from 4.5 million to 8.5 million tons. Among roughly 400 operational ports worldwide, KPT currently ranks 90th.
Senator Rubina Qaim Khani pointed out persistent dwell time issues in container clearance, to which the minister responded that a dedicated committee has already achieved significant reductions. Senator Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto sought clarification on the National Dredging Company and was informed that dredging work worth $60 million has been assigned to AD Port Company, with the remaining projects allocated to the national entity. Future dredging operations will be handled entirely by the National Dredging Company.
The minister also shared updates on infrastructure projects, including a separate Lyari road and the under-construction Malir Expressway, expected to be completed by mid-2026 to enable round-the-clock container movement. The KPT chairman added that four freight trains will become operational by July 2026, while ML-1 connectivity will further improve transit efficiency.
Reaffirming the ministry’s commitment, Anwar said efforts are underway to recover land, remove encroachments, and end the involvement of property dealers. He added that the ministry is fully prepared to pursue land litigations and act against those previously facilitating land grabbing.
During the meeting, it was disclosed that 42 properties had been allotted over the past 15 years. Senator Shahadat Awan noted that the Korangi Fisheries Harbour Authority had not uploaded its master plan, land allotment policy, or rules on its website. The authority assured the committee that the information would be made available at the earliest.
