Pakistan, July 10 -- Pakistan has initiated sweeping reforms in its maritime sector aimed at boosting trade efficiency, improving port performance, and reviving the shipping industry, senior officials said on Thursday.

Co-Chairman of the Maritime Task Force, Iftikhar Ahmad Rao, underscored the strategic importance of the sector, noting that nearly 90 percent of Pakistan's trade is conducted via sea routes. He emphasized that Pakistan's geographic position at the mouth of the Gulf, along with its connectivity to China through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and access to Central Asia, provides it with a unique economic advantage.

Despite its significance, Rao acknowledged that the maritime sector had long suffered from weak c...