KARACHI: Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Kamran Michael has said that strength of the ships of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) would be doubled and ministry will issue tenders for new ships soon.
The minister claimed that PNSC had earned profit of $ 1.9 billion during the last few months. He said that a policy is being formulated to introduce 75 per cent trade through shipping. Policies are being made to streamline the national institutions, he added.
Michael said that present government is giving special attention to bring improvement in the port and shipping sector. He said that previous governments did not make any progress in the shipping sector. The government is taking all important measures to make speedy progress in this sector, he added.
Replying to a question, he said that Karachi Marine Academy would be given a university status. He said that government is also making plan to use PNSC ships for pilgrims. He added that this facility would reduce expenditure of pilgrims while travelling to Saudi Arabia for performing Hajj.
He said, “We are focusing on the policy of trade rather than aid to boost economy of the country.” The minister said that Sri Lanka had signed an agreement for trade through ships. Replying to another question about Gawadar Port, he said that government is taking necessary steps for the effective use of Gwadar Port.
He added that fiber boats would be provided to Baloch fishermen on easy installments. He said that government had allocated Rs. 31 billion for the construction of roads from Kashghar to Gwadar.
To another question he said China will establish oil refinery in Gwadar. He hoped that Gwadar will play vital role in the progress of the country.
