NA Committee on Maritime Affairs reviews operations of PNSC, PQA

KARACHI: The National Assembly’s (NA) Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs convened separate meetings at the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) building on Friday to discuss matters related to PNSC and Port Qasim Authority (PQA).

The meeting, chaired by Committee Chairman and MNA Abdul Qadir Patel, was attended by all members, including Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, who serves as an ex-officio member. Officials from both PNSC and PQA provided the committee with briefings on the current state of affairs within their respective organizations.

He emphasized that while PNSC is a profitable entity, further improvements are necessary to enhance its growth. He also stressed the need to expedite the clearance of containers at the port to facilitate ease of doing business.

During the meeting, Committee Chairman MNA Abdul Qadir Patel directed PNSC officials to present a detailed report on daily wage and contract employees within the organization. Various committee members put forth suggestions for enhancing the corporation’s operations.

Secretary Maritime Affairs Syed Zafar Ali Shah assured that no employees would be targeted during the reform process, emphasizing that the goal is to make the organization more viable.

The meeting was attended by MNAs Khurram Munawar, Syed Rafiullah, Hassan Sabir, Khel Das Kohistani, Muhammad Usman Badani, and Malik Shakir Bashir Awan.

Other key participants included Federal Secretary Maritime Affairs Syed Zafar Ali Shah, Chairman PNSC Board Sheikh Sultan Ahmed Chawla, Secretary PNSC Muhammad Javed, General Manager Legal Zafarullah, Executive Director Ship Management Syed Muhammad Babar, Executive Director Khurram Mirza, and Executive Director Finance Syed Jarrar Haider Kazmi.

Following the PNSC meeting, the committee also held discussions regarding the Port Qasim Authority. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, along with committee members, participated in the meeting.

Chairman Port Qasim Authority Rear Admiral Syed Moazzam Ilyas briefed the committee, while Secretary Port Qasim Jehagir Sajjad was also present on the occasion.