ISLAMABAD (Lord Media): Chairman of the Maritime Task Force, Iftikhar Ahmed Rao, has stated that Pakistan serves as a crucial gateway to Central Asia. Under his leadership, Pakistan’s ranking in the maritime sector has improved by 30%.
During a press conference with the Secretary of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and a member of the FBR, Iftikhar Ahmed Rao highlighted that 80% of the world’s trade is conducted via sea routes, and Pakistan is strategically located in the Gulf region.
Rao shared that the task force, formed in August 2024, engaged with relevant institutions to address issues and presented recommendations to the Prime Minister in December.
He mentioned that an implementation committee for the Maritime Task Force has also been established. Customs officials have accelerated maritime operations by providing additional personnel, elevating Pakistan to the 69th position in global rankings.
The chairman further noted that Port Qasim has been ranked among the top five global ports, and the shipping sector has shown significant improvement.
An FBR member added that the faceless customs duty system at ports has led to a 16% increase in revenue.
