Pakistan Customs has ordered officials to clear the backlog of import and export containers at the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) within one week.
The directive follows complaints from businesses that prolonged congestion had disrupted trade, delayed cargo clearance and increased logistics costs.
What did Pakistan Customs order for the KICT backlog?
Chief Collector Customs (Appraisement South) Wajid Ali directed Customs formations to work closely with KICT management to eliminate the congestion within seven days.
He issued the order during a Wednesday meeting with the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), reaffirming the department's commitment to facilitating legitimate trade and minimizing disruptions to commercial and industrial activity.
Who attended the meeting on the KICT congestion?
The meeting was attended by a KCCI delegation led by Senior Vice President Muhammad Raza, along with representatives of KICT and the Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA).
Wajid said the smooth movement of cargo through Pakistan's ports was critical to sustaining industrial production, maintaining supply chains and supporting economic growth. He instructed Customs officials and terminal management to adopt an accelerated and coordinated approach to clear the accumulated containers.
How has the business community responded to the directive?
The chief collector said Pakistan Customs remained committed to addressing operational challenges facing the business community through close coordination with stakeholders.
He assured the KCCI delegation that Customs would continue to facilitate trade, expedite cargo clearance and closely monitor implementation of the directives. Raza welcomed the intervention, saying businesses had suffered significant losses due to prolonged congestion, including higher storage and demurrage charges and disrupted industrial operations.
Why does KICT congestion matter for Pakistan's trade?
Raza noted that Karachi's ports serve as Pakistan's principal trade gateway, making operational bottlenecks costly for importers, exporters, manufacturers and the wider economy.
He expressed confidence that the Customs directive would improve cargo movement, reduce financial losses and restore business confidence. Raza also reaffirmed KCCI's commitment to working with Pakistan Customs and other government institutions to resolve trade and logistics challenges, calling regular public-private coordination essential to improving port efficiency and strengthening Pakistan's trade competitiveness.
What did the KCCI delegation say about container dwell times?
The KCCI delegation said extended container dwell times had imposed heavy financial costs on importers and exporters through higher demurrage, detention and storage charges.
It added that these delays had disrupted industrial production schedules and supply chains. The delegation called for sustained coordination among Customs, terminal operators and other stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted trade flows through Pakistan's busiest port.
What happens next to resolve the backlog?
Representatives of KICT and the KCAA pledged their full cooperation in implementing the agreed measures and working with Customs authorities to eliminate the backlog as quickly as possible.
Participants reviewed the causes of the congestion and discussed immediate operational measures to accelerate container handling, customs processing and cargo clearance. The meeting concluded with participants agreeing to strengthen coordination, improve operational efficiency and take steps to prevent a recurrence of congestion at the terminal.
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