ISLAMABAD, Jul 26 (APP): Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi has said that his ministry is transforming Pakistan into a maritime nation.
Sharing accomplishments by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs during the last two years, he said that “we are destined for so much more progress in this Ministry” adding that “we will make our voters and the whole of Pakistan proud”.
According to the Ministry of Maritime AffairsM as a first step a public whatsapp number and an email address were set up so all those connected with Maritime sector could directly reach out to the minister to report irregularities or offer suggestions. Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) under the current regime added two LR1 Tankers taking the total strength of the fleet to 11 vessels. ERP solutions were acquired and PNSC will be fully digitised by November 2020. Loans worth Rs. 4.7 billion have been repaid. The famous historical Rally Building, and Muhammadi House, both in Karachi the financial hub of Pakistan, are in the process of total restoration to reflect their past glory.
Following the Prime Minister Imran Khan austerity campaign, 29 vehicles were also auctioned off. At Karachi Port Trust the construction of new boat basin jetty finished in early 2020.
Bidding for Dry Bulk Terminal has been initiated. 11 companies have been shortlisted and a lot of them are international terminal operators. An amount of Rs. 2.2 billion in liquidated damages have been recovered. Through competitive bidding highly reputable audit firms were hired. The first ever store audit has been completed and the first ever KPT hospital audit is underway. Furthermore, the financial audit of the entire organization (KPT) is ongoing from 2010 onwards.
Port Qasim Authority (PQA) recorded its highest ever revenue in the last 2 years. For the first time PQA started night navigation for large vessels in early 2019. The first financial audit since 2008 is being conducted. During the COVID-19 crisis, when most of the regional ports have short down, PQA handled a record 270 vessels in March and April 2020. Following the Prime Minister Initiative of Green Year Pakistan, plantation of over 1 million mangroves is underway. A detailed study of the new master plan for the port has completed. This will attract an inbound investment of up to 1.6 billion dollars by developing new terminals. A plan has also been finalised to uplift the entire infrastructure of PQA and its industrial area.
This includes up-gradation of the roads, laying of sewerage line, water distribution channels and power supply, residential accommodation for PQA employees, Primary and Secondary School, and a State-of-the-Art Sports Complex with a cricket ground fit to first class matches at an approximate combine cost of Rs. 3 billion.
Gawadar Port Authority (GDA), the gateway to CPEC, has started handling the Afghan Transit Trade. The Project of East Bay Expressway which was delayed for various reasons us now scheduled to be completed by the April 2021.Tax incentive for the GDA Free Zone which was stuck for 7 years have been approved. Korangi Fisheries Harbour Auhtority (KFHA) has secured funding for refurbishment and up-gradation of the entire operational infrastructure.
The initiative by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs under the current regime has set new precedents and has led the way on many firsts in Pakistan as per International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention. Machine readable SID cards are now being issued to seafarers. Most of their issues have been addressed. A new manning company under the PNSC has been set up that will facilitate the employment of seafarers on international shipping lines. The ministry devised a comprehensive Shipping Policy in 2019 aimed at attracting the private sector to participate in the shipping.
Under the policy shipping companies were registering their vessels in Pakistan to gain major financial concessions. They will also be exempted from customs duty. A fishery development Commisioner was appointed through advertisment after 11 years. For the first time Pakistan was also awarded the chairmanship of INFOFISH a project of the FAO and the leading force of the marketing support for fish producers and exporters in Asia Pacific. For the first time the Minister for Maritime Affairs addressed the IMO Regulatory body of the United Nations. A meeting of the IOTC workshop of the Hong Kong Convention was held in Pakistan for the first time. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs also achived E-Office Level 4+ in Noveber 2019. The Ministry is bear-heading the concept of the Blue Economy of Pakistan. Blue Economy has been defined as sustainable commercial growth, improving livelihood and creating jobs, while preserving and protecting the health of Oceanic Ecosystem.
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