PSA Gwadar operating sans security clearance

[LRE]

Zamir Sheikh and Waqar Hamza

KARACHI – Though Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) took over operational duties at Gwadar Deep Water Project from Gwadar Port Authority more than two years, it has not so far deemed it fit to get security clearance which is a mandatory requirement, TheNation has learnt.
As the PSA does not even possess International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) certificate, so the matters concerning security clearance of PSA Gwadar and its staff have become more important in the context of impending visit of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to the port on December 30.
A copy of the letter written by port authorities to the Joint Secretary Ministry of Ports and Shipping Dr Syed Pervaiz Abbas, available with The Nation, pointed out that due to the precarious state of affairs about security in the country and other factors, the security clearance of the PSA Gwadar organisation, personnel, contractors, etc., must be carried out. The current security situation in the country has made it important to have the organisation, its staff/contractors to be security cleared which is the national requirement and in the interest of the nation, the letter says.
‘In view of the above, it is requested that PSA Gwadar may please be asked to obtain security clearance of their organisations, staff/contractors, etc. in an early time frame, and the same is to be provided to GPA for record, which is to be updated regularly,’ it was further said.


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