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Islamabad: In a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs, chaired by Senator Faisal Vawda, the committee reviewed critical issues related to the management of maritime assets, particularly the controversial sale of 500 acres of land at Port Qasim. The committee identified procedural irregularities in the transaction, leading to its cancellation and preventing a potential financial loss estimated at Rs. 60 billion.
Senator Vawda expressed his gratitude for the swift action taken by the committee, stating, “Had we not intervened and exposed the corruption, the country would have lost Rs. 60 billion. Our collective action ensured that the fraudulent sale was canceled within 72 hours of our recommendations.”
The committee delved into the sale of 500 acres of land at Port Qasim, which was reportedly sold for a mere 2% advance, amounting to a fraction of its actual value, estimated at Rs. 60 billion. Senator Vawda questioned the legitimacy of the transaction, stating, “Only 2 percent was taken after selling land worth Rs. 60 billion. If the transaction was legitimate, why was it reversed within 72 hours?”
The land was originally allotted for industrial use in 2006, and the committee heard from officials that an out-of-court settlement had been pursued in this matter. However, Vawda raised doubts, questioning why the land was sold for just 10% of its actual value and why the board did not take action sooner. “Who authorized the Port Qasim Board to sell land worth Rs. 60 billion for just Rs. 5 billion? This goes beyond their scope and authority,” Vawda remarked.
In his remarks, Senator Vawda outlined three options for dealing with such cases of mismanagement and corruption: “Surrender, admit the corruption, or fight against it.” He emphasized the importance of holding accountable those responsible for the financial loss to the country.
Senator Danesh Kumar raised concerns about the lack of a permanent chairman for both the Karachi and Gwadar ports, stressing the need for stable leadership in the maritime sector. Vawda responded, “If the acting chairmanship is to continue, then the permanent chairman should be removed. The importance of proper leadership cannot be overstated.”
The officials at Port Qasim insisted that all transaction procedures adhered to the established regulations. The examination panel harbored reservations regarding the transaction’s appropriate procedures. Vawda suspected that the foreign corporation involved in the purchase required further investigation, as he suspected that it had improper local origins rather than being an international entity.
The committee was provided with the most recent information regarding land property administration by the Port Qasim authorities during the briefing session. At Port Qasim, the company has distributed licenses for 9,574 acres, and the total landholdings amount to 14,000 acres. The remaining properties span 1,000 acres. Port Qasim controls 1,000 acres, while the Sindh government retains 1,250 acres.
The committee emphasized the necessity of export efficacy in its recommendations, suggesting that private sector professionals and technical specialists be included in the port’s management team to improve operations and transparency.
The committee urged for the postponement of payments for land acquisitions that took place at Port Qasim, KPT, Gwadar Port, and PNSC following its investigations. It is imperative to conduct a comprehensive examination of the Shawn Refining project, as its management may be terminated in the event that financial scandals are discovered during the examination.
The upcoming meeting will review the ongoing analyses of the unresolved Port Qasim land sale matters and deliberate strategic maritime position appointments. The session was attended by Senator Danesh Kumar, Naseema Ehsan, Rubina Qaim Khani, Husna Bano, and Nadeem Bhutto, as well as senior officials from the relevant departments.
