Pakistani ports likely to be handed over to provinces – Report

[CMY]

Associated Press of Pakistan quoted Mr Qamar uz Zaman Kaira minister for ports & shipping as saying that ports in the country can be handed over to the provinces as a provincial subject under the spirit of maximum provincial autonomy. During his visit to Port Qasim, he said that the federal government has already decided to minimize items on the concurrent list to possible level.

Mr Kaira said that Gwadar Port owns only 600 acres of land and the rest land is occupied by private housing schemes under the administration of Balochistan government. He added that "We have planned to sit with all stakeholders and review what items or subjects can be transferred to the provinces under the first phase of giving provincial autonomy."

Mr Kaira emphasized that it is need of the hour to modernize or upgrade and expand our ports to meet the growing trade requirements of Pakistan, of the region and of the global economy. He added that "Till now, Pakistan’s ports are as single country ports and plans were in progress to transform these into major ports in the region where mother ships can be anchored."

He said that Gwadar port needs modern infrastructure and allied facilities to play its leading role in promotion of investment and trade upto Central Asian States. It would be also cheaper for some parts of China and India to do business through this port because of its geo important location. The roads and railways network connecting the Port with other areas of the country would be completed before end of 2010.

He further added that said 5 member Cabinet Committee, with due representation from Balochistan, has been constituted which is looking into the matters of Gwadar Port and framing viable plan to make this port operational at the earliest.

It may be noted that Karachi Port Trust and Port Qasim has already cut their charges significantly and had improved quality of services to port users to emerge as cost, services and time competitive ports in the region. Port Qasim caters to around 40% of the import and export of Pakistan.