Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, Senator Babar Khan Ghauri advised management of Port Qasim to review the high rates of transfer fee to facilitate the port users. Visiting the Port Qasim on Monday, he formally inaugurated tree plantation by planting a Coco Snuciferal at the Port. Referring to high rates of transfer fee, the minister said that we have to come up to the expectations of port users.
The minister observed that the industrial activities in PQA has been increased in manifold and about three years back only 90 industries were operational and under construction. He applauded that now 340 industries are functional and under construction which is a great achievement of PQA in the present geo-economic scenario.
He quoted that he accepted the ministry of ports and shipping as a challenge. He urged the officers to work hard for the cause of PQA and betterment of the country. He maintained that merit, discipline, hardworking and tolerance of others are the basic fundamentals which are key to success for any institutions like PQA.
Afsar Din Talpur, Chairman, Port Qasim Authority briefed various development projects being undertaken. He informed that Naval Moorings, which were main obstacle in the channel, have been removed successfully, which facilitate commissioning of Liquid Cargo Terminal. As regards to 2nd Container Terminal, reclamation and construction work has already been started and necessary equipment like dredges, boats and piling ships have already arrived at the site. In this connection formal groundbreaking ceremony is expected soon.
Regarding infrastructure development projects he said that PQA has already granted work to FWO for development of infrastructure facilities in Eastern Industrial Zone which is the largest industrial zone of PQA, at a cost of Rs 4.62 billion. We also plan to dual PQA access road at a cost of more than Rs 2 billion. We have beefed up security arrangements in PQA Industrial Zones with the guidance and help of Port Qasim Association of Trade and Industry (PQATI) for which Port Security Force is planned to be set up. Referring to Diamond Bar Island City, the Chairman requested the Minister's help for early resolution of the issue.-PR