ISLAMABAD: (APP) The Senate Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping was informed that the operational hurdles have been removed and Deep Water Container Port would be operational by end of this year.
The committee met with Senator Muhammad Ali Khan Saif in the chair on Monday was given a detailed briefing on the functions and organizational structure of Port Qasim Authority (PQA) besides the status and progress of deep sea berth in Karachi Port Trust (KPT).
Major under construction projects in Gwadar under CPEC
The Committee was given a detailed briefing on the appointments and promotions made by PQA during last five years.
The Committee was surprised that no appointment, on any vacancy, has been made from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
Officials stated that proper rules had been formulated for recruitment now and PQA had earned a net profit of Rs. 4321.707 million, adding it had handled 47 Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) vessels.
Regarding allotment of plots during last three years, PQA informed that a 40 acres plot has been allotted to M/s. Pak Suzuki Motors Pvt Ltd for automobile industry, a 13.18 acres plot to M/s. Engro LNG terminal (Pvt) Ltd for construction of LNG terminal and a 200 acres land has been allotted to M/s. Port Qasim Electric Power Co. Ltd for construction of power plant.
Gwadar LNG terminal to be built by China Petroleum Pipeline Company
Members of the Committee were of the view that both KPT and PQA were important entities and all the projects initiated by both the organizations should be completed at the earliest to give boost to the national economy.
Chairman of the Committee remarked that the Committee would seek more details to discuss various important issues related to PQA and KPT to formulate recommendations for improving the efficiency of both the organizations.
The meeting was attended by Senators Naseema Ehsan, Agha Shahbaz Khan Durrani and Taj Haider. Secretary of the ministry and senior officers of PQA and KPT were also present.