ISLAMABAD: To boost the maritime and logistics sectors, the federal government has abolished the 18 per cent sales tax on the shipping industry for 2026-27. On Saturday, Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said the decision was taken to fulfil a long-standing industry demand to improve the shipping sector’s competitiveness. “The abolition of the 18pc sales tax will facilitate trade by lowering transportation and logistics costs,” the minister said in a statement, adding that the measure will encourage investment in the maritime sector and support the growth of local shipping services.