We have read your paper's report on 19th March 2005 and find it to be in the same convoluted vein as the earlier NLC-inspired press releases on the same topic. We wish to clarify as follows:
Installation of scanners as envisaged in the US Container Security Initiative (CSI) does not apply to Pakistan's current trade position (that is the absence of substantial direct sea shipments to USA).
Should the scanners be installed under the guise of the CSI, Pakistan's exports to the US would still be subject to scanning at Hub or Mega Transhipment Ports as defined by the US. Hence an element of redundancy arises with double cost to our trade.
The scanners purchased by NLC cannot detect drugs or weapons. The WTO regime does not envisage the installation of scanners.
We do not wish to comment too much on the "exhaustive research" conducted by the NLC on the type of scanners to purchase. Suffice it to say that the equipment purchased is not ideal and to our knowledge not approved/acceptable to US authorities.
The same was purchased without consulting the stakeholders. Now a "fait accompli" is being forced onto the hapless importers/exporters of Pakistan.
(The writer is Honorary Secretary, Pakistan Ship's Agents Association)
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