Ministry of Ports and Shipping has announced a new, 4th Port. This gimmick has been proposed by KPT which is reputed for launching and advertising projects which never take off, but does please the political bosses.
Karachi Port remains unutilised and occupancy is less than 50%, so is Port Qasim but comparatively better. Gwadar with impromptu inauguration has only helped the land mafia to induce innocent buyers whilst there is no port operation and port may be operative by 2008/09 with second hand gantry. Growth of container last year was 18% which is now hardly 4%. Rice export is stagnant and trade deficit may swell to 15 billion USD.
Aladdin Port will be an environment disaster as the proposed site is protected for fish haven and birds sanctuary the President and Prime Minister must intervene to stop ambitious projects and concentrate on utilising existing ports to optimum capacity. KPT's ambitious project of Keamari groyne is logically criticised by a terminal operator.
It is hoped that the Government will prevail to utilise existing ports to optimum capacity and ensure Gwadar port to become really off. It appears all such announcements are political jargons which badly tarnish the image of our beloved President.