Ijaz Kakakhel Islamabad
A legislative body of Upper House of parliament on Tuesday directed for enquiry over purchase of two vessels worth $42.75 million, which were14.5 years old and can be further used for the next five and half years only.
This was discussed in Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs which was held today at Parliament House, while Senator Rubina Khalid in the Chair. The officials of the PNSC informed the committee that recently on the instructions of the Former Chairman, PNSC bought two vessels, which can be further used for the next 5 and half years only.
The Chairman Committee directed the Ministry to initiate an inquiry into the matter and also to refer it to Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission. The Chairman Committee also directed to take stern action and curtail the financial and administrative powers of the former Chairman.
Senator Rubina Khalid expressed resentment over Chairman Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) Rizwan Ahmed’s refusal to vacate the office for the Admiral Jawad Ahmed, recently appointed by the Prime Minister as the Chairman of the PNSC and maintained that non- compliance of Prime Minister’s order is a criminal offence and hence forth refused to take briefing from him.
While briefing on the PSDP 2022-2023 the Secretary for Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Mathar Niaz Rana apprised the committee that there are total16 PSDP projects of the Ministry, out of which 13 are related to Gwadar while the remaining 03 pertain to Korangi Fish Harbour.
The committee was also informed by the Chairman Gwadar Port Authority, Naseer khan kashani that meetings are being held with the Shandong Institute of Commerce and Technology (SICT) on the exchange program to introduce courses in the Pakistan China Technical and Vocational Institute, Gwadar. The Chairperson Committee encouraged this step and said that the objective of the Vocational Institute was to equipped students with technical skills and therefore efforts should be made to commence the courses at the earliest.
On the matter of the acquisition of remaining land for Gwadar Port, the committee was informed that PC -1 was under consideration and would be submitted to the Ministry of Planning and Development for approval so that the acquisition of land could be started.
The meeting was attended by Senators Syed Muhammad Ali Shah Jamot, Nuzhat Sadiq, Mohammad Abdul Qadir, Moula Bux Chandio, Muhammad Akram, Naseema Ehsan, and Senator Saifullah Abro. Secretary, Ministry for Maritime Affairs Mathar Niaz Rana, Chairman Gwadar Port Authority and other concerned officers also attended the meeting.
