‘Pakistan, China sign 40-year deal for Gwadar Port operations’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has signed a 40-year agreement with China for the Gwadar Port operations, minister for ports and shipping Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo informed the Senate on Thursday.

To a question during Question-Hour session, the minister said under the agreement, China would carry out all the development work on the port.

As per the concession agreement, China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC) has 91 percent share of revenue collection from the gross revenue of the terminal and marine operations and 85percent share from gross revenue of free zone operation, he added.  The provinces have no share in revenue collection as per the constitution.

Meanwhile, minister for national food security and research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan said Rs1,500 million has been allocated under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the fiscal year 2015/16.

Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Pir Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi said human trafficking and illegal immigration did not come under the Emigration Ordinance, 1979 and it fell under the jurisdiction of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and provincial law-enforcement agencies. However, there was a mechanism in the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment to keep check and balance over the Overseas Employment Promoters.