Maritime Affairs Minister Assures Clean Coast, Sea In 2 Months

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Syed Ali Haider Zaidi on Tuesday assured that within next two months, Karachi coast including Karachi Port Trust area will be made clean and the movement of cargo vehicles will be streamlined for the ease of the people and to increase the cargo flow at KPT.

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Oct, 2018 ) :Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Syed Ali Haider Zaidi on Tuesday assured that within next two months, Karachi coast including Karachi Port Trust area will be made clean and the movement of cargo vehicles will be streamlined for the ease of the people and to increase the cargo flow at KPT.

"I want clean and green coast. I assure Karachiites, in two months you will see the coast and sea very clean and pollution free along with full security. You will find the best environment to spend your week ends with your families on the beaches. Also port users will be provided with more facilities and incentives," the Minister said, while speaking as the chief guest at seminar in line with International Maritime Organization (IMO) 70th Anniversary and World Maritime Day programme at a local hotel.

The seminar was organized by Karachi Port Trust in collaboration with Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, United Kingdom and International Nautical Institute- Pakistan Chapter.

The Minister said clean, green and prosperous Pakistan for all was the vision of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf. Prime Minister Imran Khan had already launched "Clean and Green Pakistan" drive.

He said God had blessed Pakistan with naturally built long beautiful coast and deep sea. Our maritime sector had big potential. The development of the maritime and information technology sectors in very organized manner, and on scientific and modern lines would bring economic prosperity in the country.

He said local and foreign investment in conservation and development of the marine resources would be welcome. PTI government would extend all possible support and facilities to the investors.

In the past, many people had made money from the marine resources. Now, it was the right time to re-invest in this potential sector, he asserted.

He regretted that the society as collectively had destroyed the beaches and the eco-system of our sea including mangroves and hatcheries of shrimp and other fishes. Around 13000 tones of solid waste and 600 million gallons of untreated water -- sewerage and from industries- from the city was going into the sea untreated every day.

He urged the industrialists to set up their treatment plants, which was mandatory for them under the local and international laws.

"I am going to launch a public awareness campaign on large scale.

We are destroying our precious marine resources, which now the world has named as the blue economy," he announced.

About the shipping industry of the country, he said, in the past it had been badly neglected, whereas in other countries it had great charm for the people ; also for the job seekers. Once ship-breaking industry in Pakistan was very organized and a successful venture. Now, we are behind also from Bangladesh.

In 1947, Pakistan had 70 ships. Now, it had only nine; of which four were oil tankers. There was great scope for investment in the shipping and the ports. Pakistan had naturally built and the best located sea-ports against Dubai and some other ports in the region.

The Minister for Maritime Affairs pledged that pursuing the PTI vision of new and prosperous Pakistan, he would soon give new identity to the ports and shipping industry.

"I have a good team of officers and more competent and honest ones shall be added to accomplish this task within shortest possible time," he reaffirmed adding that he had set up camp offices at Pakistan National Shipping Corporation and Karachi Port Trust to better pursue the implementation of the government polices and for the earliest execution of the projects related to the ports and shipping.

His doors were open to investors and for all other stakeholders, he re-assured.

During a chat with media there, Syed Ali Haider Zaidi said due to traffic congestion in the city KPT was operating at fifty percent of its capacity. Last year, it handled 50,000 tones of cargo against the capacity one hundred thousand tones.

We would have to ensure the fast flow of trucks and trailers carrying cargo to and from KPT. The corrective steps would include widening of the Northern Bypass and Lyari Expressway.

He said one or two big projects related the ports and shipping would be unveiled soon.

He said due to shortage of funds, PNSC could not purchase more ships.

These could be acquired on FOB basis through private investors.

To a question about the recent increase in gas price, the Minister held the previous government responsible which had left huge amount of losses piled up during its tenure. However, he said, PTI would try to give relief to gas consumers in next couple of months.

He also regretted that the country had more than fifty billion trade deficit. This called for a very calculated and targeted change in trade policy for sustained growth in exports.

About the government's recent initiative to bring investment from Suadi Arabia at Gwadar and in other sectors, he said Pakistan's investment policy was not country specific. But open for all countries and everybody.

"Saudi Arabia is our brotherly Muslim country and its investment would be welcome," he remarked.

About the government's decision to get loan from International Monetary Fund, he said there was no option in the pertaining financial and economic situation of the country.

" Once, the nation shall have to take this bitter pill," he said.

To a question about Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President, Shahbaz Sharif's arrest, the Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs said PTI government had not initiated any case against him, but the cases being faced by Shahbaz were registered during PML-N government regime.

In his welcome address, KPT Chairman, Rear Admiral Jamil Akhtar spoke about the port's operations and the future development projects to make KPT more cost and service efficient and competitive in the region.

International Maritime Organization consultant Ms. Nimla Willems-Herrea read out the message from the Secretary General of IMO about the uplift of marine environment.

International Chairman, Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, Unitedkingdom, Theo Collandris underlined the need for professionalism by using information technology applications and automation in a rapidly changing world of shipping and port industry.