The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP), operating within a cloud of suspicion fuelled by Transparency International reports on mismanagement and flouting of public procurement rules, is reportedly giving tough time to its new Chairman, Ajnum Bashir. Bashir has replaced Saeed M. Khan, who was a reputed bureaucrat and tried his best to fix TCP, but to no avail.
At present, many of TCP officials are under investigation in wheat and rice scams. TCP officials were formally summoned by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and National Assembly standing committee on commerce. However, one official, summoned by the FIA, presented himself wherein he was questioned. The other official did not even bother to attend FIA phone calls.
Anjum Bashir, who was Additional Secretary in Prime Minister Secretariat before his new assignment as Chairman of TCP, is also regarded as a professional officer, but his real test will be how he faces the challenges in the organisation, commented one of his former colleagues in the Commerce Ministry where he also served as Additional Secretary.
Insiders said that he has sought 'spiritual guidance' from Commerce Minister Amin Fahim. Currently, the TCP is facing sugar scam as the Dubai-based company, Sadan General Trading LLC (SGT), nominated only one vessel against the first award of 50,000 tons of sugar from Brazil, which turned out to be both false and misleading.
Despite assurances in black and white of providing complete information about their performing vessel, on March 18, 2010, the TCP was forced to issue a stern warning to SGT that in case of delay in shipment, it would be held responsible for all losses and consequences.
In response, on March 19, 2010, the local agents of SGT submitted the nomination of vessel for SGT's first consignment of sugar in which MV Teal Arrow (IMO No 8309402, Call Sign: C6KB8) was finally declared. The vessel was to load 25,000 tons of white sugar from Santos Port, Brazil. The ship is still offloading fertiliser at Santos Port and is not expected to reach Karachi port by March 27, 2010, a schedule given by the importer to the TCP.
As per fresh information collected from Port Operators, best ETC kept for Wednesday ie on March 23rd pm, AGW. Upon completion of discharge, cargo holds will be cleaned for her next cargo. According to loading agents (for the cargo of Petcoke), best ETB at assigned loading terminal will be on March 28 in due course.
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