M.A Jinnah Road inaugurated in KPT

Karachi: Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Qamaruz Zaman Kaira inaugurated the Karachi Port Trust Overpass and the rehabilitation of M.A Jinnah Road at KPT.

He said that KPT had spent Rs 2.5 bn for the Karachi Package during the tenure of the last city nazim and this project was also a part of this package.

To a query on a dispute of land between the Sindh Government and KPT, he said that he had met Chief Minister Qaim Ali for a discussion and they would soon meet the KPT authorities. “The KPT chairman had completed his assigned tenure, and a new chairman would be appointed soon,” he said to another query.

Talking to the media afterwards, he said that the previous government had made tall claims about Gwadar Port, but only 650 acres of land were provided to such a big project. He said it was necessary that lands in the vicinity of the port should have been purchased by the government, but the past rulers failed to do so, and locals sold these precious lands to private firms.

He said that the Gwadar Port project was badly mishandled by the previous government.

He would soon initiate a probe into the [alleged] financial and technical mishandling of the project, saying that despite these investigations, the uplift work would be continued and the project would be completed by the year 2010.

The minister said that there would no need for a Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) for KPT in the upcoming budget as the KPT was a self-sufficient trust. But if the need arose, the government would provide the required funds.

He appreciated the efforts of the chairman of the KPT and said that despite all criticism he had done a great job and KPT had progressed by leaps and bounds in last seven to eight years. “We have to increase efficiency and transparency for the betterment of the trust.” He said they would have to work for the welfare of its employees. The trust should give employment to the children of the servants of KPT who had spent their lives for its progress.

The minister said that they would give all rights and benefits to the employees, but they should also show efficiency and devotion.

KPT Chairman Admiral (Retd) Ahmed Hayat briefed the minister on the progress and plans of KPT. Secretary Ports and Shipping Muhammad Saleem Khan was also present.