Latest news with #KPT
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Proposed project to connect port to Shahra-e-Bhutto discussed
KARACHI: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sindh on Public-Private Partnership, Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar have discussed the proposed project to connect Karachi Port to Shahra-e-Bhutto (Malir Expressway) at Qayyumabad Interchange. They discussed the proposal during a meeting between Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sindh on Public-Private Partnership, Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, held at the Sindh Investment Department on Thursday. The meeting focused on a wide range of development initiatives including road infrastructure connecting port areas, a comprehensive truck logistics park, desalination plant at Karachi Port Trust (KPT), and integrated strategies for the development of the blue economy. It was informed in the meeting that the distance from Karachi Port to Qayyumabad Interchange is approximately 12 kilometres. On this occasion, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar said that the proposed project will facilitate the movement of heavy traffic to Karachi Port and the heavy traffic of the port will be able to get easy access to the M-9 Super Highway without entering the city roads. Federal Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry termed the project important and useful and assured his full cooperation to make it feasible. Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar said that the implementation of the project will reduce heavy traffic on the roads of Karachi city and increase traffic flow. It was informed in the briefing that the total portfolio of Public Private Partnership projects in Sindh has reached Rs 616 billion and all PPP projects have been declared successful. On this occasion, it was agreed to hold a meeting between the Sindh government and the Karachi Port Trust to make the proposed project of connecting Karachi Port to Shahrah-e-Bhutto feasible. Another major project discussed was the proposed construction of a truck logistics park near the Malir Expressway. Spanning over 300 acres, the park is strategically located due to its close proximity to city centres, port terminals, and direct access to the M-9 Motorway. This facility is aimed at organizing the growing number of heavy vehicles entering and exiting Karachi's ports daily. the installation of desalination plants at KPT was discussed to address Karachi's chronic water shortages. These plants would play a vital role in improving freshwater availability for both residential and industrial consumers, especially in port-adjacent areas. They also exchanged views on expanding the blue economy—harnessing ocean resources for sustainable economic growth while ensuring environmental conservation. The meeting was attended by Secretary Investment Sindh Raja Khurram Shahzad, Director General Public Private Partnership Unit Asad Zamin and other senior officers. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
KPT holds awareness course on cyber security
KARACHI: In the wake of a recent cyber-attack on the official "X" account of Karachi Port Trust (KPT), it launched a two-day awareness course titled "Assessment of Network and Cyber Security Threats" to further strengthen its cyber security and help prevent future incidents. The timing of this course is particularly significant in light of the recent cyber-attack on KPT's official "X" (formerly Twitter) account on May 9, 2025, reportedly carried out by Indian hackers. The attackers compromised the account and posted false information, falsely claiming that Karachi Port had sustained damage from an Indian assault. Although the account was promptly recovered and the misleading content removed, the incident underscored the urgent need for enhanced cyber security measures-making this training course a timely and necessary initiative. According to KPT officials, the two-day awareness course on "Assessment of Network and Cyber Security Threats" kicked off at the KPT Staff College on Wednesday. Organised by the Management Information Systems (MIS) Department, the course has drawn strong participation from various departments within KPT, highlighting the organization's commitment to enhancing its cyber security posture. During the course, participants engaged in discussions on the myriad vulnerabilities and threats that individuals and organisations face in the digital landscape. Experts shared valuable insights on safety measures and precautions to mitigate these risks, equipping participants with the knowledge to navigate the online world more securely. Officials say that the said incident underscores the growing threat of cyber-attacks, especially in the context of the current geopolitical environment as the government's websites and official social media handles have become increasingly vulnerable to such threats. They further told Business Recorder that by investing in the training and development of its employees, KPT aims to stay ahead of the curve in terms of cyber security and protect its digital assets from malicious activities. The course serves as a testament to the organization's dedication to cyber security and its commitment to creating a safer online environment for its operations, he added. The awareness course is a proactive step by KPT to bolster its defences and prepare its staff to tackle potential cyber threats effectively. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
17-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Global shipping lines: Pakistan's major ports among most expensive
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's major ports remain among the most expensive for international shipping lines in comparison to key regional ports. This was revealed in a special report presented to the Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. The report analysed data of key regional ports to determine the reasons why Gwadar port is not performing, as expected. Gwadar, envisioned as a flagship project of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), was projected to rival regional ports and attract international shipping lines. However, recent figures paint a bleak picture of underutilization and slow operational uptake, calling into question the port's strategic and economic viability. Significant investment coming into port, shipping sector: minister Charges for a 50,000 Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) vessel were the highest at Karachi Port Trust (KPT) with port dues of USD 18,900 - the highest among six ports surveyed. Pakistan's two other major ports, Port Qasim Authority (PQA) and Gwadar, charge USD 15,000 each, significantly more than their regional counterparts. In contrast, ports in the United Arab Emirates and Oman offer substantially lower rates. Jebel Ali Port (UAE) charges just USD 3,406, while Sohar Port (Oman) is even more competitive at USD 3,000. Iran's Chabahar Port, a key competitor to Gwadar, charges USD 7,970, offering a middle ground between Pakistan and Gulf ports. The comparative analysis of South Asian and Gulf ports revealed stark underperformance of Pakistan's maritime infrastructure, with its major ports lagging far behind regional counterparts in both cargo handling and annual mercantile traffic. According to 2021 data, UAE's Jebel Ali Port maintained its position as the region's shipping giant, handling 14.4 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) the standard measure of cargo capacity. Colombo Port in Sri Lanka ranked second with 5.1 million TEUs, followed by Salalah (4.4 million) and Sohar (3.5 million) in Oman. Karachi Port Trust (KPT) managed only 2.2 million TEUs, and Port Qasim Authority (PQA) lagged further behind at 1.05 million TEUs. Most notably, Gwadar Port (GPA) a cornerstone of the CPEC recorded an almost negligible 0.0023 million TEUs, despite massive investment and strategic aspirations. The report also evaluated annual mercantile traffic flow, where Sohar Port led with 4,807 vessel movements, closely followed by Colombo at 4,310. In comparison, KPT and PQA recorded 1,600 and 1,535 respectively. Gwadar's traffic was a mere 22, while Iran's Chabahar Port, a key competitor, showed modest yet higher activity at 41. Industry analysts have warned that these figures reflect deep-rooted structural inefficiencies and a lack of competitive pricing in Pakistani ports. These numbers are not just a statistic, they are a wake-up call, standing committee members argued. High port dues, outdated handling facilities, and weak hinterland connectivity are costing Pakistan billions in missed trade opportunities, they concluded. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Arab News
16-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan's financial regulator alerts firms to cyber risks after conflict with India
KARACHI: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) on Friday cautioned local companies about heightened cybersecurity risks, days after a brief but intense conflict with India that, for the first time, saw both nations engage in cyber warfare alongside traditional military exchanges. The recent hostilities, which included missile and artillery fire, also featured the deployment of drones and coordinated cyberattacks, an unprecedented escalation in the long-standing rivalry between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. A ceasefire was brokered and announced on May 10, though the digital threat persists. 'The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has issued an advisory to all the companies, in light of the recent geopolitical situation and resultant heightened cybersecurity threat alerts, urging companies to adopt cybersecurity best practices,' the regulator said in a statement. The advisory outlined potential risks such as operational disruptions, data loss and reputational damage, recommending measures including stricter access controls, vulnerability assessments, incident response planning and user awareness training. During the conflict with India, Pakistan's economic affairs ministry and the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) reported that their official X accounts had been compromised. The KPT account briefly posted claims of significant damage from an Indian naval strike before the post was deleted and the agency stated its account had been hacked. Pakistani officials also acknowledged launching retaliatory cyber operations targeting Indian government and financial websites. Indian authorities reported over 1.5 million attempted cyber intrusions during the conflict, primarily attributed to Pakistan-based hacker groups. The SECP's advisory highlighted the ongoing digital risks in the aftermath of the ceasefire, urging companies to bolster their cybersecurity defenses to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive data.
Business Recorder
10-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Disinformation rejected: Normal operations continue at Karachi Port
KARACHI: Operations at the Pakistan's largest seaport, Karachi Port, remain uninterrupted as ships continue to arrive and depart on schedule, despite a failed attempt by Indian media and hackers to spread misinformation and create panic. On Thursday night, several Indian media outlets falsely reported that the India had launched an attack on Karachi Port, allegedly causing massive destruction and halting all operations. The fabricated news was further supported by a cyber-attack, in which Indian hackers temporarily hacked the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and posted a fake statement claiming the port had sustained damage. The cyber-attack was quickly countered, and KPT successfully regained control of its X account. 'Reports circulating on India Media claiming that Karachi Port has been attacked by India and damages have been caused are completely false and baseless. 'Karachi Port is operating normally & securely and all port functions, activities and operations are taking as normal routine activity', KPT said on its X account. In response to the disinformation campaign, the port authority also invited journalists to visit the site and observe normal port activities firsthand. Public Relations Officer Shariq Amin Farooqi briefed the media during the tour, clearly stating that no attack, by drone, missile, or otherwise, had occurred. He emphasised that the Indian media claims are entirely baseless and part of a deliberate propaganda effort. KPT officials informed that 16 vessels are currently docked at the port, including 8 bulk carriers, 4 container ships, and 2 oil tankers. Over the past 24 hours, approximately 170,000 tons of cargo have been handled through export and import operations. 'There has not been a single moment of disruption in port operations,' said the KPT spokesperson. In the next 24 hours, nine more ships are expected to dock, he said. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
