Port Qasim Authority to Add 30,000 MT Storage for Cement and Clinker Exports
The Port Qasim Authority (PQA) has unveiled plans to develop an additional storage capacity of 30,000 metric tonnes to support Pakistan’s growing cement and clinker exports.
Meeting on Export Enhancement
The announcement came during a high-level meeting of the Task Force on Enhancing Cement and Clinker Exports, chaired by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan.
PQA Chairman confirmed that the proposal for the new storage facility has been submitted to the PQA Board for approval. He further assured that repair work on existing facilities will be completed by December 2025, ensuring smooth handling for exporters.
Key Developments Highlighted
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including:
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Prime Minister’s Coordinator Rana Ehsan Afzal
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Business leader Arif Habib
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Representatives from Karachi Port Trust (KPT), State Bank of Pakistan, Board of Investment, Gwadar Port Authority, and other key government departments
During the session, Haroon Akhtar Khan stressed the need for stronger infrastructure. He announced that two new multi-purpose berths at Port Qasim would be completed soon and instructed PQA to share a clear timeline. Meanwhile, the KPT Chairman confirmed that berths 10 to 17 at Karachi Port will become operational by April 2026.
Expanding Regional Market Access
To boost regional trade, Akhtar Khan directed the State Bank of Pakistan to work with Pakistan’s Ambassador in Dhaka to compile a list of Bangladeshi cement importers. This will streamline the issuance of Letters of Credit for Pakistani banks in Bangladesh and strengthen Pakistan’s export competitiveness in South Asia.
Tackling Logistics Challenges
A sub-working group has also been formed with representatives from the Ministry of Railways, Maritime Affairs, KPT, and Arif Habib. The group will identify land near the Karachi Northern Bypass for truck marshalling yards, a move expected to reduce both transportation time and costs for exporters.
