The Chairperson of Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Ms Nasreen Haq, has said that dock labour is a permanent problem and a plan has been prepared to reduce labour force, slowly and gradually. Speaking at a meeting of Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (Kati), she said that the matter of offering golden handshake was discussed with the World Bank, and the matter was likely to be finalised soon.
She said that under the proposed plan, dock labour would be reduced from 3000 to 1500. "We can not remove them in one go, as it will created law and order problems as well as halt import and export," she added. Referring to high port charges, she said that KPT would review its port charges and new rates would be finalised soon.
Nasreen agreed that port charges "are on higher side", and they should be revised downward. She said that KPT has provided 500 acres land free of cost to City District Government for establishing sewerage water treatment plant. The land has remained unutilised, she added.
She said that the city has one sewerage water treatment plant having installed capacity of 150 mgd water treatment. The plan t is running on 50 mgd, whereas the city is generating 200 mgd sewerage water, bulk of which is discharged into the sea, without treatment
The KPT Chairperson said that establishing and running sewerage plant is not the responsibility of KPT. It is responsibility of the city government. Still KPT is absorbing 30 percent expenses of water treatment. She said that discharge of untreated water was polluting seawater and is a threat for marine life.
Referring to ongoing development program, Nasreen said that KPT was facing space shortage, and reclaiming land from seaport is an expensive program She claimed that port working during 2008-09 was much better as compared to last year. KPT has handled a record 14000 tons of cement in a day. The PKT handled 15 percent more cargo during 2008-09 as compared to previous year, she added.
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