pakistan eyes pnsc
|

Pakistan eyes PNSC ships to boost GCC trade amid shipping crisis

ByJustpaste.in

ISLAMABAD: The government is considering a range of emergency measures, including the deployment of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) vessels, to keep Pakistan’s trade links with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries operational amid severe disruption to maritime traffic.

The move comes as Pakistan’s exports to the GCC region declined significantly in July 2026, while imports also recorded a sharp fall compared with the same month last year, according to data shared by the Ministry of Commerce.

The ministry’s figures show that exports to GCC countries dropped by around 12% year-on-year in July, reflecting the impact of heightened maritime security concerns and disruptions to established shipping routes.

Exports to major Gulf markets decline

Pakistan’s exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), its largest GCC trading partner, fell 9.5% in July 2026, reaching $144.6 million compared with $159.8 million recorded in July 2025.

Exports to Saudi Arabia witnessed a steeper decline of 20.5%, falling to $42 million from $52.8 million a year earlier. Shipments to Oman decreased 3.7% to $15.8 million from $16.4 million.

Pakistan’s exports to Bahrain suffered the sharpest percentage decline among the GCC markets, dropping 50.8% to $2.3 million from $4.2 million.

Exports to Kuwait declined 7.4% to $7.4 million, while shipments to Qatar fell 4.2% to $8.7 million from $9 million in the corresponding month of 2025.

The decline has raised concerns over the ability of Pakistani exporters to maintain regular deliveries to Gulf markets, particularly for goods that depend heavily on maritime transportation.

GCC imports also fall sharply

Pakistan’s imports from GCC countries also recorded a substantial decline during July. The Commerce Ministry reported that imports fell 32.5% year-on-year to $1.0009 billion from $1.4825 billion in July 2025.

Imports from the UAE decreased 34.2%, falling to $380.7 million from $576.5 million.

Imports from Saudi Arabia declined 4.7% to $295.3 million from $310 million, while purchases from Bahrain dropped 44.4% to $15.1 million from $27.2 million.

The most significant declines were recorded in imports from Kuwait and Qatar. Imports from Kuwait plunged 92.8% to $9.5 million from $132.1 million, while those from Qatar fell 96.1% to $10.2 million from $261.8 million.

Oman was the exception, with Pakistani imports from the country increasing 67.7% to $290.2 million from $173 million a year earlier.

Month-on-month trade also weakens

The trade slowdown was also visible on a month-on-month basis. Pakistan’s exports in July were 2.7% lower than in June 2026.

However, the performance varied considerably across GCC destinations. Exports to the UAE increased 15.7%, while shipments to Kuwait and Qatar rose 19.4% and 88%, respectively.

In contrast, exports to Saudi Arabia declined 34.5% during the month. Shipments to Oman fell 34.6%, while exports to Bahrain decreased 18.2%.

Imports recorded an even sharper monthly decline, falling 32.5% in July compared with June.

Imports from the UAE decreased 17.9%, while those from Saudi Arabia fell 41.4%. Imports from Oman declined 49.9%, and purchases from Qatar plunged 93.2%.

Imports from Bahrain and Kuwait, however, increased during the month, rising 295.8% and 72%, respectively.

Maritime security disrupts Gulf trade

The Commerce Ministry linked the deterioration in trade flows to the worsening maritime security situation following the breakdown of an interim truce between the United States and Iran in July 2026.

According to the ministry, the resulting security concerns severely affected international shipping movements through key maritime routes and created uncertainty for commercial vessels operating in and around the Gulf.

The ministry said the waterway normally accommodates between 70 and 80 commercial vessel crossings each day. However, traffic reportedly dropped to as few as six vessels a day during the disruption, leaving hundreds of ships waiting outside the Strait of Hormuz.

The ministry also referred to statements attributed to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to which vessels were required to obtain permission to pass through the strategic waterway. Such developments, coupled with threats against shipping, significantly increased the risks and costs associated with maritime trade.

Red Sea tensions add to shipping risks

The Commerce Ministry also highlighted the impact of attacks attributed to Houthi militants on Saudi oil facilities and areas along the Red Sea coast.

The resulting security threats to Saudi-linked vessels have increased concerns surrounding shipping through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, another critical maritime gateway connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

With shipping operators facing heightened security risks, commercial maritime movement between Pakistan and GCC markets has been severely disrupted. The ministry said some Pakistani exports had consequently been shifted to air freight to ensure the delivery of goods to Gulf customers.

However, air transport is considerably more expensive than sea freight, creating additional pressure on exporters and potentially reducing the competitiveness of Pakistani products in GCC markets.

Government considers alternative shipping routes

To reduce the impact of the disruption, the Commerce Ministry has proposed establishing dedicated feeder links between Karachi and safer maritime nodes outside the immediate Hormuz chokepoint.

The proposed connections include Fujairah and Khor Fakkan in the UAE, as well as suitable Omani ports located outside the affected maritime corridor.

Such routes could provide Pakistani exporters with alternative channels for moving cargo to the Gulf while reducing their exposure to disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.

The ministry has also recommended accelerating the operationalisation of multi-purpose passenger and cargo ferry services between Gwadar and GCC ports.

The proposed ferry network is intended to provide another avenue for transporting commercial goods and passengers while strengthening Gwadar’s role as an alternative regional logistics hub.

PNSC vessels under consideration

Another option being examined by the government is the use of vessels operated by the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation to maintain trade connectivity with GCC destinations.

The deployment of national-flag shipping capacity could provide greater control over cargo movement at a time when private commercial operators are facing security and logistical constraints.

Officials believe that maintaining reliable access to Gulf markets is important because GCC countries remain a major destination for Pakistani exports and a key source of energy and other imported commodities.

The proposed measures are therefore aimed not only at addressing the immediate shipping crisis but also at developing alternative logistics channels that could strengthen Pakistan’s trade resilience in the event of future disruptions.

Similar Posts

  • |

    Akanksha Chamola opens up about divorce from Gaurav Khanna

    ByJustpaste.in

    Akanksha Chamola has once again spoken openly about her separation from actor Gaurav Khanna, revealing that their divorce is now definitely moving forward. The actress had previously surprised viewers of Lock Upp Season 2 when she casually disclosed that she and Gaurav were heading towards divorce. The revelation came as a shock to many fans because Akanksha had never publicly discussed problems in her marriage before appearing on the reality show. Her comments on Lock Upp marked the first time she spoke about the situation in such a direct manner, leaving viewers surprised by the sudden disclosure. During her time on the show, Akanksha also opened up about several personal aspects of her life. She spoke candidly about her bisexuality and revealed that she does not want to have children. Her decision to discuss such private matters on television sparked considerable interest among viewers. Now, during a recent event covered by NewsX, Akanksha addressed questions about her divorce and confirmed that the separation is indeed taking place. She clarified that the decision was not a recent development and had actually been made well before she entered Lock Upp Season 2. According to Akanksha, the divorce process had already begun before Gaurav participated in Khatron Ke Khiladi. However, the couple has not yet completed the formalities because their busy professional schedules have made it difficult for them to find the right time to sit together and sign the necessary documents. Akanksha explained that life can be particularly complicated for actors, especially when both partners are working and trying to manage demanding schedules. She suggested that despite their decision to separate, completing the legal process has taken longer than expected because of their conflicting commitments. The actress further revealed that she and Gaurav had spent considerable time thinking about their relationship before reaching the decision to end their marriage. She said the decision was made around two months before she entered Lock Upp, while also placing it before Gaurav’s stint on Khatron Ke Khiladi. Akanksha explained that the couple did not arrive at the decision suddenly. Instead, they took around 18 months to understand their relationship and determine whether they could continue their marriage. After spending that time reflecting on their future together, they eventually concluded that the relationship was no longer working for them. Her latest comments provide further clarity about the couple’s separation and indicate that the divorce is now expected to be completed once they are able to manage their schedules and finish the required formalities. Akanksha’s decision to speak about the matter publicly has also given fans a clearer understanding of why the divorce process has taken time, while making it clear that the separation was a carefully considered decision rather than a sudden development.

  • | |

    LHC judge steps aside from bail hearing in Libya b…

    ByJustpaste.in

    LAHORE: Lahore High Court ( LHC) Justice Ghulam Sarwar Nihang has recused himself from hearing the post-arrest bail petition of a suspect allegedly linked to the Libyan boat tragedy. The case involving accused Shafaqat Ali was taken up by the Lahore High Court, where Justice Nihang informed the court that he had previously served as a member of the commission formed to investigate the Libya shipwreck. Given his previous involvement with the commission, the judge said he did not consider it appropriate to hear the bail petition concerning the same matter. The case record was subsequently referred to the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court for further proceedings. During the hearing, the defence counsel argued that bail had already been granted to suspects in several similar cases and requested that Shafaqat Ali also be released on bail until the trial court reaches a decision. The case is part of investigations launched following the Libyan boat accident. The Federal Investigation Agency’s Mandi Bahauddin office has registered cases against suspects allegedly connected to the incident. In a related development, another accused, Muhammad Tahir, has also been granted post-arrest bail in the Libya boat tragedy case.

  • | |

    PTI must apologise to Fazl, says Kundi

    ByJustpaste.in

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to apologise for its past statements and criticism directed at Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Speaking to journalists in Nowshera, Kundi said PTI’s current political position appeared different from its earlier stance towards Fazlur Rehman. He said the party should acknowledge its previous remarks and offer an apology. The governor also criticised PTI’s approach towards the judiciary, saying the party had celebrated certain court decisions in the past but later faced adverse verdicts from the same judicial system. Kundi said PTI supporters had previously distributed sweets when courts issued decisions they considered favourable. However, he noted that subsequent decisions by courts resulted in PTI founder Imran Khan being sent to jail. He argued that political parties should maintain a consistent position on state institutions and should not support institutions only when their decisions favour them. Turning to the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kundi strongly criticised the provincial government and accused it of failing to address the province’s major governance and security challenges. He alleged that political activities and what he described as political drama surrounding Adiala Jail and D-Chowk had continued for years, while the province faced serious issues related to law and order. The governor claimed that the security situation had deteriorated and alleged that the province was being left vulnerable to militants. He said restoring peace and ensuring effective governance should be the government’s primary responsibilities. Kundi also pointed to what he described as a significant change in PTI’s political relationships. He said the party now regarded Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Mahmood Khan Achakzai as important political allies or figures, despite its previous criticism of them. He said the change in political positioning made it even more important for PTI to address its past statements against Fazlur Rehman. The governor’s comments come amid continued political disagreements between the federal and provincial governments, with security, governance and political alliances remaining major areas of contention.

  • |

    Trump signs new executive orders seeking to restrict US birthright citizenship

    ByJustpaste.in

    US President Donald Trump has signed two new executive orders aimed at restricting birthright citizenship, five weeks after a 6-3 Supreme Court decision rejected his administration’s broader attempt to end automatic citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. The newly issued directives attempt a narrower approach by targeting specific exceptions under the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment. The primary focus of the orders is a total ban on birth tourism, a practice where pregnant foreign nationals travel to the US to give birth so their children acquire automatic citizenship. The directives also place restrictions on children born in the US to foreign government employees, foreign combatants classified as alien enemies, and residents of US territories pending potential congressional legislation. Speaking alongside White House aides Stephen Miller and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick during an Oval Office ceremony, Trump criticised the high court’s prior 30 June ruling and argued that non-citizens were taking advantage of constitutional protections established following the Civil War. Legal experts and civil rights advocacy organisations, including the American Civil Liberties Union and UnidosUS, noted that the executive actions do not carry the authority of statutory law and will face immediate challenges in federal court for attempting to bypass constitutional precedent and Supreme Court authority.

  • | |

    Senate panel seeks Bullah suspension until title, dialogue changes

    ByJustpaste.in

    The release of Bullah, a Pakistani film written by veteran screenwriter Nasir Adeeb and starring Shaan Shahid and Saleem Shah, has been placed in uncertainty after a Senate standing committee recommended that its screening be halted until its title is changed and certain dialogues are revised. The recommendation emerged from a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting held on Thursday, July 24, chaired by Senator Sarmad Ali. The session was convened to review concerns that had been raised about the film’s certification process by the Central Board of Film Censors. Officials from the CBFC appeared before the committee to defend the approval process, telling members that Bullah had already been cleared without any cuts by both the Punjab and Sindh censor boards under the same title. They explained that the federal board’s jurisdiction was limited to Islamabad Capital Territory and cantonment areas, and maintained that the CBFC chairman could not unilaterally reject a film. Certification decisions, they clarified, were taken collectively by the board, with the chairman holding only a casting vote in the event of a tie. The officials further noted that if the committee believed the film should be banned or its title changed, the matter could be referred to the federal government, which serves as the next appellate authority under the applicable legal framework. Senator Pervaiz Rashid pushed back on the board’s defence, questioning whether Nasir Adeeb’s reputation as a screenwriter was a sufficient basis for approving the film’s content. He pointed out that Adeeb was primarily known for writing violence-based films, particularly Maula Jatt, and argued that this background did not establish the screenwriter’s credentials as an authority on history, national personalities or Pakistan’s cultural traditions. Senator Rashid also remarked that Maula Jatt had introduced the “gandasa” as a cultural symbol to mainstream audiences, saying he had not been aware of the weapon before the film popularised it. Following the discussion, committee chairman Senator Sarmad Ali concluded the session by proposing that the film’s title be changed and that certain dialogues be revised before it is permitted to screen. He further suggested that Bullah remain suspended until these recommended changes have been implemented. The meeting was attended by Senators Abdul Shakoor Khan, Syed Waqar Mehdi, Pervaiz Rashid and Jan Mohammad, along with Secretary Information Ashfaq Ahmed Khalil and officials from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Central Board of Film Censors. The film’s makers have not publicly responded to the committee’s recommendations. With both provincial censor boards having already cleared the film without cuts, the situation now rests on what the federal government decides to do with the parliamentary committee’s proposal.

  • | |

    Anne Hathaway stuns fans with cheeky pregnancy response

    ByJustpaste.in

    Anne Hathaway has responded to online speculation questioning whether her pregnancy is real after photos from the premiere of her latest film sparked debate on social media. The 43-year-old actress, who is expecting her third child with husband Adam Shulman, addressed the comments through an Instagram video shared on Monday. Hathaway used the video to take followers behind the scenes as she prepared for the red carpet premiere of “The End of Oak Street” in Los Angeles. The discussion began after the actress appeared at the film’s world premiere on Sunday wearing a silk crop top and low-rise jeans that revealed her baby bump. Photos and videos from the event quickly circulated online. Some social media users questioned the appearance of her bump and suggested that it could have been artificially created. Hathaway responded directly to the speculation in the caption accompanying her Instagram post. Her playful response made it clear that she was aware of the claims and was not taking the online debate too seriously. She also joked about the intense heat during the event, saying her outfit was struggling in the warm weather. The actress’s response came after several comments on social media questioned the authenticity of her pregnancy. Some users claimed the bump looked artificial, while others suggested that makeup or other effects had been used. Hathaway’s appearance at the premiere had already attracted considerable attention. The actress confidently showcased her pregnancy while promoting her new movie, turning the red-carpet appearance into one of the event’s major talking points. Her latest response also reflects the growing scrutiny celebrities face over their appearances, particularly when photographs from public events spread rapidly across social media. Rather than issuing a lengthy statement, Hathaway chose humour to address the speculation and move the focus back toward her film and the celebrations surrounding its premiere.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *