KARACHI, Apr 23 (APP): Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Ali Haider Zaidi here on Thursday said a record number of 140 vessels were handled at Port Qasim during March, highest number in past nine months despite COVID-19 pandemic which brought halt in activities in many of the regional ports.
Talking to media persons during his visit to Port Qasim, he appreciated the administration as well as workers associated with Port Qasim Authority, Karachi Port Trust and Pakistan National Shipping Corporation for their commitment towards the national cause and efficiently braving the challenge.
He also appreciated private terminal companies, operational in the two parts, for supplementing the cause with the hope that they could further contribute to the needed relief to the importers using their facilities urging that private shipping lines to play their due role facilitating the traders who hold years old relationship with them and in the given global scenario needed to be extended due concession.
The minister in reply to a question informed the reporters that 82% of the employees at the two ports belonged to Sindh, both rural and urban areas.
He also strongly denied the impression created by the provincial government that federal government had been unable to meet its responsibilities towards the province.
He said series of measures adopted by PTI government to handle COVID -19 were for people from across the country without any distinction adding that since 18th amendment health, education and police fall under the provincial jurisdiction.
“Even for this, the federal government provides needed resources to the the provinces and it is up to the latter to make adequate use of the same,” he said emphasizing that PPP government needed to answer as how they had utilized the funds put at their disposal.
“We have every right to know as why the healthcare and education systems and other critically needed infrastructure are in shambles across Sindh,” said Ali Haider Zaidi.
APP/Desk/HB
