The Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs, chaired by Senator Muhammad Fesal Vawda, directed immediate action to curb maritime corruption and cancel illegal land allotments across port and fisheries installations. The committee emphasised a thorough review of all pending land awards and ordered the recovery of encroached property to restore proper land management in coastal areas.
Committee members including Senators Pervaiz Rashid, Danesh Kumar, Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto and Rubina Qaim Khani raised concerns about delays and irregularities at Karachi International Container Terminal where 239 containers remained delayed mainly due to customs processing and involvement of international companies. The panel cited allegations that container clearance malpractice amounts to roughly USD 40 million annually, with an alleged Rs.112,000 taken per container, and directed KICT to clear the backlog and eliminate avenues for maritime corruption.
Senator Fesal Vawda pressed for transparency at the Fisheries Harbour Authority, noting serious land mismanagement at Korangi Fisheries and allegations that some officials were illegally sharing staff salaries with senior officers to cover absenteeism. The committee instructed strict action against officials found complicit and called for a review of autonomous boards to restructure or remove ineffective members.
The ministry was asked to compile comprehensive data on land holdings across ports and fisheries areas. In response, Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar said the ministry is taking a step-by-step approach to systemic reforms and requested full support from the Senate committee. He highlighted the establishment of a National Dredging Company intended to be cost-effective and more attractive to exporters.
The Chairman of Karachi Port Trust reported a 9 percent growth in container handling and the highest cargo throughput in the past year, noting ongoing dredging to increase the port’s draught depth for vessels up to 100,000 tons. KPT said it is developing a bulk export facility with 8 million tonnes of storage and expects clinker exports to rise to 8.5 million tonnes. KPT currently ranks 90th out of some 400 global ports, the chairman added, while dredging activities continue without interruption.
Questions were raised about the National Dredging Company’s role after AD Ports was awarded work worth USD 60 million, with remaining contracts assigned to the new company; officials said future dredging will be channelled through the National Dredging Company. Infrastructure projects including a separate Lyari road, the Malir Expressway due by mid-2026 and ML-1 connectivity from KPT are expected to enable 24/7 container movement, with four freight trains planned to start by July 2026 to improve export logistics.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to recover land, remove encroachments and curb the role of property dealers in unlawful allotments, while preparing to handle related litigations and pursue those who facilitated land grabbing. In response to Senators’ queries it was disclosed that 42 properties had been allotted over the last 15 years, and the Korangi Fisheries Harbour Authority was instructed to upload its master plan, land allotment policy and rules on its official website without delay.
