PSA denies overcharging clients

KARACHI: Pakistan Shipping Association (PSA) denied on Tuesday that shipping companies were charging extra fees to their clients, saying they were following the fixed tariff and complying with the government trade rules.

Asim Siddiqui, the chairman of PSA, told a group of journalists that the association was in favour of reforms in the maritime trade policy and would engage with all stakeholders to address the issues facing the industry.

“The association will talk to all stakeholders and will play every possible role for as there is a need for reforms in maritime trade policy,” Siddiqui said.

He said the shipping industry was vital for the economic development of the country and dismissed the reports of exorbitant charges as false.

“The news has been coming for the last few days and we are being accused of that the shipping companies are taking exorbitant charges,” PSA chairman said.

He termed all these reports and news as false and noted that all the shipping companies are charging different charges according to the fixed tariff.

"There is a competition in the sea trade and the charges of shipping companies are not the same. But we are not looting anyone. We are providing work and services according to the fixed tariff."

Siddiqui said that there are various charges and government taxes for these services and if a company charges additional charges to its client, "how will he contract with this company in the future?"

He said that the shipping companies are not looting anyone. "We provide work and services according to the government trade rules, policies and fixed tariffs."

Siddiqui said that there are 20 foreign shipping companies in Pakistan and they are playing an important role in economic development. "These shipping companies are not at all involved in any smuggling and all such reports as false" he added.