Cabinet likely to approve revised Gwadar Port Authority Bill today

[Naveed Yaseen]

MUSHTAQ GHUMMAN
ISLAMABAD (October 07 2009): The Cabinet, which is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, is likely to approve revised Gwadar Port Authority's (GPA) structure by replacing the Chairman and members of the Board with non-executive professionals, with the objective of placing skilled people at the helm, official sources told Business Recorder. The proposal was part of the agenda of Cabinet meeting held on September 28, 2009, but due to paucity of time, it did not come under consideration, sources added.

According to details, a summary was submitted to the Cabinet on May 14, 2008 by the Ministry of Ports and Shipping. The Cabinet deferred consideration of 'Gwadar Port Authority's revised Bill for new corporate structure of the port' till a thorough examination was completed by a committee which comprised of Ministers for Ports and Shipping, Finance, Law and Justice, one Minister from Balochistan and Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission.

The committee in its meeting on July 2, 2008, thoroughly examined the Bill, advised amendments in it, and directed the Ministry of Ports and Shipping to submit the revised Bill to the Ministry of Law for vetting. Sources said that the Bill, finalised by the committee and vetted by Law Ministry, was submitted to the Cabinet Division for consideration, along with the findings and recommendations of the committee, through a Summary on December 16, 2008.

However, the summary was returned by the Cabinet Division on December 23, 2008 with advice for fresh consultation with all stakeholders and vetting from Law Ministry. Accordingly, the views of the Ministries/Divisions concerned as well as from the Balochistan government were obtained on the Bill afresh.

Sources said there is a wide range of opinion among different Ministries and Divisions over the revised provisions of the GPA's Bill, which are being placed before the Cabinet for its verdict. Under the Bill, the Chairman and Members of the Board will be non-executive professional people, without any executive function or responsibility.

The responsibility for management of all affairs of the Authority will rest with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Authority, to be appointed under section 34 of the Bill. The CEO will also act as co-opted Member of the Board and will report to the non-executive Chairman and the Board on all matters including those delegated by him to the subordinate officers in the Authority. Besides the revised Bill, the Ministry of Ports and Shipping will also give a detailed presentation to the Cabinet on the affairs of the GPA.

Other important proposals which are expected to be approved by the Cabinet are: Net Hydel Profit (NHP) to Punjab government in respect of hydroelectric station located in Punjab and a proposal of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR); approval in principle to start negotiations between Pakistan and Hungary for an agreement for the establishment of Joint Economic Commission (JEC), approval in principle for grant of autonomous status to Pakistan Academy of Letters, amendments in the Companies Ordinance, 1984, amendments to the Anti Money Laundering Ordinance 2007,amendments in the Chartered Accountants Ordinance, 1961, amendment in Seed Act, 1976, approval of the Pakistan Health Research Council Bill, 2009, ratification of United Nations Convention against transnational organised crime, approval for ratification of extradition treaty between Pakistan and Libya, amendment in Sub-section (2) of Section 35-a of Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, National Child Protection Policy, National Commission on the Rights of Children Bill, 2009, Child Protection (Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2009 and draft Bill for restructuring/ reorganisation of Federal Statistical System of Pakistan are the some of the proposals, which are most likely to be discussed for approval. Sources said that discussion on Kerry Lugar Bill, law and order situation, forthcoming bye-elections, and power load shedding would also be held.

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