Port Land Acquisition
ISLAMABAD: Following the discovery of irregularities that led to the cancellation of a 500-acre land sale at Port Qasim last month, the Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs took decisive action on Tuesday.
The committee ordered an immediate freeze on all pending payments related to land acquisition deals at Port Qasim, Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Gwadar Port, and the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC).
The decision came after a comprehensive review of Port Qasim’s land holdings, presented to the Senate panel, which is chaired by Senator Faisal Vawda. The meeting was attended by Senators Danesh Kumar, Naseema Ehsan, Rubina Qaimkhani, Husna Bano, Nadeem Bhutto, and senior maritime officials.
During the briefing, officials informed the committee that Port Qasim holds approximately 14,000 acres of land, with 9,574 acres leased out to various entities. Additionally, the authority has acquired 1,000 acres, while another 1,250 acres are pending transfer from the Sindh government.
Concerns Over Dubious Land Sale
The committee raised serious concerns over the controversial sale of 500 acres at Port Qasim, which was reportedly sold at an advance payment of just 2%—an amount significantly lower than its actual value of Rs60 billion. Senator Faisal Vawda questioned the legality of the transaction, emphasizing the unusual circumstances surrounding the deal.
“How was land worth Rs60 billion sold for just Rs5 billion, and why was the deal reversed within 72 hours if it was legitimate?” Senator Vawda asked. He further questioned whether the Port Qasim Board had the authority to conduct such a transaction.
Port officials, however, defended their actions, stating that the matter had been “handled appropriately” and that the board had acted within its legal jurisdiction. Despite these assertions, the Senate committee moved forward with recommendations to suspend all further payments related to land acquisitions at Pakistan’s major ports.
Recommendations and Further Actions
In addition to freezing payments, the committee called for a thorough examination of the Shawn Refining project, with the possibility of canceling it if evidence of criminal negligence is found.
Another key issue discussed was the absence of stable leadership at the country’s major ports. Senator Danesh Kumar voiced concerns over the lack of a permanent chairman for both Karachi and Gwadar ports, stressing that effective governance in the maritime sector requires consistent leadership.
The senators recommended the inclusion of private-sector technocrats and business professionals in port management boards to enhance efficiency and transparency.
Moving forward, the committee plans to address additional maritime sector issues, including the appointment of key officials in critical departments. The next meeting will also follow up on unresolved matters related to the Port Qasim land sale and broader concerns affecting the maritime industry.
With these steps, the Senate Standing Committee aims to improve transparency and prevent further irregularities in Pakistan’s port operations.
