KARACHI: Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Kamran Michael has announced the up-gradation of Pakistan Marine Academy (PMA) to a university status. He said this while addressing media at Pakistan Marine Academy after a passing-out ceremony for 170th PMA course.
Addressing the passing-out ceremony as chief guest, he said that the academy status will be upgraded to a university to stand out as the only university across the sub-continent region.
Senator Kamran Michael congratulated the cadets for choosing a noble profession with a glorious history behind it. He expressed his belief that the world owed a tremendous amount of gratitude to the seafarers for their contribution. He reminded the cadets that they would be the sailing ambassadors of the country and advised them to maintain the excellent standards of dignity and self-respect, which they had attained at the Academy.
He hailed PMA for its achievements. He pointed out that the Government of Pakistan attached great importance to marine training and that Pakistan Marine Academy was living proof of it. Michael distributed awards among the high achievers. The coveted president’s Gold Medal was won by Cadet Irfan Ali. The Chief of the Naval Staff Silver Medal was awarded to Cadet Zaighum Hassan. The Anees Medal, instituted by Cowasjee Foundation, was given to Cadet H. M. Waleed Zafar. The PNSC Dagger was won by cadet Muhammad Bilal Afridi. The Proficiency Banner was won by Liaquat Division.
On the occasion he expressed hope that the Kashghar-Gwadar transit trade route is to become operational during the current year. He said, “Gwadrar deep sea port has been completed up to 60 per cent by now.”
He also said that a ministerial delegation will visit Sri Lanka shortly to sign an agreement with its counterpart ministry for utilization of Pakistani ships by Sri Lanka. “With the agreement, Pakistan will provide ships to Sri Lanka, which will increase the country’s revenue,” he added.
In the next six months, he said, the government plans to increase the national oil tankers fleet to five with buying two more carriers. He said that the shipping company has six bulk-cargo vessels in its fleet. “It is unfortunate that the country has only two oil tankers to cater to its needs. We plan to increase the fleet to at least 10,” he added.
He informed that the anti-encroachment cell of Karachi Port Trust has just become functional and asserted the ministry will take indiscriminate action to evacuate the trust land.
On the occasion Commandant PMA Commodore (retired) Muhammad Aslam Rana said “The Academy is recognized by the World Maritime University, and conducts Pre-Sea and Post-Sea IMO Specialized Courses and the mandatory STCW courses, besides the basic training for cadets and Gp’s. As a result, the Pakistan seafarers no longer have to spend valuable foreign exchange to go abroad for their Pre-sea and Post-sea training.”
He said that the academy possesses the most modern, state of the art equipment for training and aids. He acknowledged the continued support of Pakistan Navy, KPT, PNSC, PQA and Karachi University in their intellectual guidance and material support.
