Islamabad: Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed the authorities concerned to chalk out a comprehensive plan to encourage private sector's investment in Pakistan's shipping sector.
PM Shehbaz Sharif issued these directives while presiding over a meeting on initiating reforms in Pakistan's shipping sector and Pakistan National Shipping Corporation.
The Prime Minister further directed to take measures for transforming the National Shipping Corporation on corporate lines.
He said a new era of trade in the region is going to start with Pakistan-Afghanistan-Uzbekistan railway line project.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said it will also pave the way for shipment of trade goods from Central Asia to rest of the world through Pakistani ports.
He said the improvement of railway and shipping sector bears a key importance in transit trade. He added that it is a rare opportunity for the country to earn valuable foreign exchange by transporting goods for Pakistani shipping lines.
The Prime Minister instructed to take steps for increasing the number of ships in the fleet to save foreign exchange spent on freight for Pakistan.
He further directed the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation to reform the sector and present a sustainable business model.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and relevant senior officials attended the meeting.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized the need for aligning the country's civil service with modern technology and the standards of public service practiced internationally.
Chairing a meeting on civil service reforms in Islamabad on Friday, PM Shehbaz Sharif said revamping the civil service through a comprehensive and effective strategy is the government's top priority.
He said civil service plays a key role in the effective implementation of government policies and in the performance of various ministries and departments.
The Prime Minister directed to ensure the inclusion of input from government officers and public representatives in the administrative and institutional reforms of the civil service.