NA body on Maritime Affairs discusses issues related to KPT, PNSC

ISLAMABAD: Taking into account the importance of different sectors related to Shipping Industry, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Maritime Affairs took cognizance of not appointing the chairmen of two most important organizations — Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC).

The Standing Committee not only requested the Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaisar Ahmed Sheikh to place the matter before the cabinet and also recommended that the appointment of CEO’s of these two organization should be done on priority and the same recommendations will also be sent to the prime minister for consideration.

The meeting of the Standing Committee held with the chair of its Chairman Abdul Qadir Patel here at Parliament House on Tuesday.

On an agenda item relating to PNSC for acquiring new vessels the committee was told that PNSC’s current fleet is ageing and none of the vessels meets the forthcoming regulatory standards thus necessitating the earliest broad timelines to meet the said international regulatory frame work is about 6 years, as the cost of operations none of compliant vessels shall increase as de-carbonization of said costs are expected to progressively increase rendering older tonnage uncompetitive with passage of time.

In view of this and the fact that PNSC is restricted by PPRA Rules for procuring second hand vessels, PNSC opted to procure newly built vessels.

On the restructuring of PNSC the committee observed loop holes and some malafide intent in the expulsion of some officers.

The committee sought details on this from PNSC, which should also be given in the next scheduled meeting of Standing Committee.

Besides Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaisar Ahmed Sheikh, meeting was attended by members Syed Shah Ahad Ali Shah, Muhammad Ashraf Sahi, Kesoo Mal Kheal Das, Syed Rafiullah, Pulleen Baloch, Khurram Munawar Manj, Mian Ghous Muhammad, Sardar Nabil Ahmed Gabol, and Isphanyar M. Bandara.

Secretary M/O Maritime Affairs, Additional Secretary and Senior Officers of related departments also attended the meeting.