Pakistani Railways Minister, CPEC aide to oversee coal handling issue

Islamabad: Pakistani Railways Minister Azam Swati and Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Special Assistant on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Khalid Mansoor will lead a committee to conduct an inquiry of granting exclusivity right of coal handling to Pakistan International Bulk Terminal (PIBT).

The decision was made during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Transportation and Logistics (CCoTL) which was held under the Chairmanship of the Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi in Islamabad.

A unanimous decision was taken to form a committee comprising the Minister for Railways as convenor and SAPM on CPEC to conduct an inquiry of granting exclusivity right of coal handling to PIBT.

The Committee will look into the transparency and legality of such contracts and submit a report to the CCoTL within two weeks. The committee may also co-opt any other member if required.

In a move to facilitate exporters for increasing exports it has been decided that Port Qasim Authority (PQA) would reduce wet and dry port charges by 50 per cent.

The discount is the realization of exporters’ long-standing demand from the government in the backdrop of increased production costs due to high fuel and dollar rates.

During the meeting, the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) was also asked to examine the possibility of reduction of Port Charges as done by the PQA and put up a proposal before the CCoTL through the Ministry of Maritime Affairs for consideration.

The CCoTL further decided that PQA should seek a legal opinion regarding exclusivity rights of coal handling by the PIBT and communicate to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs positively within one week for submission before the CCoTL. Secretary, Ministry of Maritime Affairs was directed to convey the decision of CCoTL to the PQA immediately.

Directions were also issued to KPT to seek legal opinion on the Supreme Court Judgement relating to the stoppage of Coal handling. KPT was directed to explore the possibility to develop coal handling facilities on international standards.

The meeting was attended by the Minister for Railways, the Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan, the Advisor to PM on Commerce Abdul Razzaq Dawood and PM’s aide on CPEC Khalid Mansoor.