Karachi Port Trust to be made Financially Viable
Pakistan Times Business & Commerce Desk

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Communications has underlined the need for restructuring Karachi Port Trust to make it a customer-service oriented and financially sound organization capable of meeting the specialized needs of international shippers and carriers.

The committee, which met under the chairmanship of Senator Kamil Ali Agha at the Parliament House, was briefed on the organizational setup and working mechanism of Karachi Port Trust [KPT], Port Qasim Trust Authority [PQA] and Pakistan National Shipping Corporation [PNSC].

In-depth

The committee, while reviewing the performance of Karachi Port Trust, felt that the composition of the board of directors needed to be reviewed and strengthened to give representation to other stakeholders and public representatives.

The committee suggested to the government to provide adequate funds to the PQA to enable it to buy dredgers as it was essential for its viability. The committee was informed that 90 per cent work on the bulk water supply scheme had already been completed and that further development work had been suspended.

The members of committee were of the view that the PQA should take the responsibility to complete the remaining work. They recommended that the authority must complete its bulk water supply scheme as soon as possible so that the industrial area could be developed.

In reply to a query from the members, the committee was informed that the PQA land was leased out to the Defence Housing Authority on nominal charges. It directed the PQA officials to provide a copy of the agreement to the committee.

Briefing on PNSC

The committee was also given a briefing on the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, its financial performance, achievements and the future plans. It was told that the PNSC was now a financially stable organization and that it was planning to replace old dry cargo vessels with tankers and modern ships with a view to catering to the national requirements and becoming a regional maritime player.

The committee was informed that the corporation owned 14 vehicles, including 10 multipurpose cargo vessels, one container vessel and three oil tankers. It noted with satisfaction the performance of the PNSC.

In reply to a query, the committee was informed that India- Pakistan shipping agreement of 1976 was hampering the smooth development of Pakistan's shipping industry.

Chairman Reax

The chairman of the committee said the agreement should be reviewed in national interest, and lifting of cargo from each other's ports for onward delivery to ports in other countries be allowed.

Among others the meeting was attended by communications minister Senator Babar Khan Ghauri, and senators Mir Mohammad Naseer Mengal, Mohammad Ali Durrani, Lt-Gen (retired) Javed Ashraf and Asfandyar Wali Kahn. Communications ministry secretary Iftikhar Rasheed and senior officers of KPT and PNSC were also present.●