Karachi to Gwadar: Senate body for early completion of fibre optic cable project

A parliamentary panel has directed the government to complete laying of fiber optic cable from Karachi to Gwadar at the earliest so that the functioning of Gwadar Port Authority can take off effectively. The directives were passed by the Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs which met here under the chairmanship of Senator Nuzhat Sadiq to get a briefing on the performance of the Federal Ministry of Maritime Affairs and its attached departments.
The committee has also recommended expediting work on policy approvals regarding ferry service between Pakistan and Iran for pilgrims going to visit holy places in Iran and Iraq.
Commodore Akbar Naqi, Commandant Pakistan Marine Academy (PMA), while briefing the participants said that the premier public institution training merchant navy officers has trained 2,939 national and 68 foreign cadets.
The commandant informed the committee that earlier PMA lacked latest equipment which impeded its way to reach the level of outmost proficiency and standard while now it possesses state-of-the-art technology. He said it is a proud moment for the nation that it is the regional branch of World Maritime University (Sweden). It has gained the interest of friendly countries to send their cadets for training to Pakistan, which would increase the scarce strength of foreign cadets studying in the academy, he added.
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs has six attached departments with autonomous status including Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Port Qasim Authority (PQA), Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), Directorate General of Ports and Shipping (DG P&S), Korangi Fisheries Harbor Authority Karachi, Pakistan Marine Academy (PMA) and Marine Fisheries Department (MFD) Karachi.
The heads of the attached departments presented a detailed overview of their institutions to the committee members and raised the pressing issues faced by them.
The chairperson and the committee members had a warm interactive session where Senator Samina Saeed raised questions regarding the safety and security measures taken by PQA to avoid any massive incident on the port which the chairman PQA explained to be at par with the international standards. He said that American authorities in their surprise visit appreciated the measures taken by the port's administration.
Senator Kauda Babar questioned the development of projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gwadar Port Authority's role to encourage the local investors willing to invest their money to benefit from it.
The chairman Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) explained to the senator about the developments and initiatives taken according to the project requirements. He said at present Gwadar Free Zone Company was developing 2,281 acres of land for industry, which would be augmented to 18,000 acres.
Senator Nuzhat Sadiq extended her felicitations to the participants of the meeting as Pakistan achieved the milestone of getting its international water limits increased from 200 nautical miles to 350 nautical miles.
The committee decided to hold a series of meetings at the headquarters of all departments and authorities under the ministry to be better able to assess their issues and problems and contribute in their resolution.
The meeting was attended among others by Senators Fida Muhammad, Muhammad Akram, Saleem Zia, Samina Saeed, Rana Mahmoodul Hassan, Sitara Ayaz, and Kauda Babar, secretary maritime affairs and heads of all its attached departments and institutions working under the ministry.