A draft of the ''Act'' to convert Karachi Port Trust (KPT) into a corporation has been prepared. This was stated by Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Chairman, retired Admiral Ahmed Hayat while talking to newsmen after a meeting of Karachi Customs Agents Group (KCAG) on Tuesday night. He said that the draft would soon be presented to the Ministry of Shipping and Ports for consideration. The KPT chairman said that after approval by the ministry, the draft of the law would be presented in the National Assembly for discussion and approval.
Addressing the meeting, he said that KPT has introduced pre-paid cards, with huge investment, for the safeguard of customs agents, but the scheme did not get popular acceptance. In case of loss of card it will not be cancelled without communicating its code number, he said, and added that only eight cards have been sold so far.
He said that KPT would allot place for KCAG officer soon.
Regarding including representative of KCAG in KPT board of trusties, he said that the matter would be finalised after approval of the new ''Act''.
The chairman said that the port was handling cargo clearance 24 hours a day, including Sundays, and allowing cargo dispatch to the city or upcountry. Afghan transit cargo will be unloaded on railway wagons, he added.
The chairman said that KPT affairs are run in a friendly atmosphere. If anything is refused it is refused on the bases of law.
He said that KPT was making efforts to improve its services and making arrangements to take shortest possible time in cargo clearance.
Welcoming the guests, President, KCAG Farook Salim Shaikh demanded that the condition of police verification for issuance of KPT gate pass be removed.
He said that procedure of collecting port user charges be simplified.
He pointed out that officers were misusing form ''B'' and cancelling customs agent''s licences and gate passes on simple mistakes.