KARACHI: There is a huge marine wealth in Pakistan’s sea-waters which needsto be tapped in an organized way and on modern lines by engaging privatesector.
‘It really pains us to see huge marine resources un-utilized. We want ajump start in development of in-shore and off-shore resources,’ said Chiefof Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi during an interactive sessionwith members of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), hereat KCCI Secretariat on Wednesday.
He said that it was to his satisfaction that the business communityassociated with Karachi Chamber was thinking in the same way and talked ofhis vision about marine resources development.
He mentioned that besides big deposits of fisheries and minerals, therewere around 16 billion barrel oil reserves under our sea bed; waiting forexploration.
Firstly, he asserted, all the issues should be brought under the umbrellaof Federal Ministry of Marine Affairs and then proceed in a focused way toget the results.
He was of the view that this task should be handed over to a team ofprofessionals and experts at the ministry instead of traditionalbureaucracy.
‘As a national cause, we should make our best efforts to boost marineresources. It is very important to convince business community and thepolicy makers to focus on this great hidden wealth,’ he pleaded.
To a demand from former president KCCI and Chairman of Businessmen Group atKCCI , Siraj Kassam Teli, the Naval Chief , in principle, agreed to form acommittee with representatives of the KCCI and the Pakistan Navy – afterdue consultation with Pakistan Naval Foundation and the Ministry of MarineAffairs for identifying the areas and setting modalities to develop themarine resources and the coastal line including development of recreationalfacilities for tourists.
‘We would jointly move with tangible and concrete plan,’ he re-assured.
He informed that Pakistan Navy was going to set up Marine University andMarine IT Park. Besides these, Marine Works Organisation had been plannedto be set up as a joint venture with private sector.
He said sixty percent of Pakistan Navy’s budget was being spent on itsdevelopment.
Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi said there was dire need for strengtheningshipping industry of the country as the most trade was being done viasea-routes. Around 45,000 ships used to pass through Pakistan’s watersevery year.
The country needs more shipyards and that Pakistan Navy could set upanother shipyard in Karachi in partnership with private sector.
To a query from KCCI President Mufasar Atta Malik, Chairman of Karachi PortTrust Rear Admiral Jamil Akhtar informed that KPT had exempted of allcharges up to 2030 for a local ferry service to be operated by privatecompany. In next few months, KPT would identify the site at Deep Sea Portvenue for setting up a aqua sports club. This would include sailing boats.
He invited private sector to come ahead for this project.
On the occasion, Commander Abdul Muneeb gave presentation on PakistanNavy’s operations, academic activities and future projects.
A video was also screened to highlight the Pakistan Navy facilities andpotential of marine resources.
Earlier, KCCI President Mufassar Atta Malik and former president SirajKassam Teli spoke of Karachi Chamber’s role in promoting trade andindustry, and about the welfare of business community, with the ultimateaim to bring economic prosperity to the country.