Port Qasim Authority (PQA) Friday revealed that 54 Nato containers, carrying 31 consignments were disappeared from the port, causing a loss of Rs 18.9 million to the national exchequer, under the head of custom duty. This was revealed at the Senate Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping meeting with Sardar Fateh Muhammad Hassani in the chair.
The PQA officials informed the parliamentary panel that 90 percent recoveries have so far been made in this regard from the people allegedly involved in the matter. It was revealed from the investigation of the arrested persons that the containers were carrying only auto spare parts and there were no explosive materials or weapons.
Committee chairman recommended to all the investigative agencies to present reports of all the inquiries which the parliamentary panel sends to them for investigation otherwise FIR would be registered against the chiefs of those institutions. The committee further directed to present the inquiry report about the missing containers within 45 days. The committee further recommended receiving all the expenses of the investigation conducted by agencies from the officials proved to be involved in missing the containers from the first day of investigation.
PQA officials further revealed that goods were taken from the parked containers while opening the Winded houses provided officially. Port Qasim Authority chief further revealed that some more containers were disappeared from the Winded House of Fast Link Company from the port. Engine and water dispensers were also disappeared and to make the required weight, mud was filled and it was stated that stay order would be taken from the court if the license of Qasim Freight station was cancelled. Committee chairman observed that it was a criminal act and FIR should be registered against the persons involved in it.
Secretary Ports and Shipping Habibullah Khan Khattak said that cranes worth million of rupees standing at the Gwadar Port are getting rusted. He further said that a summary was sent to Prime Minister through Defence Ministry and Planning Commission for inclusion of 84 acres land in the Gwadar port. Prime Minister has announced the inclusion of the land in Gwadar port during his visit to the port. After clearance of the payment issues it would presented in the ECC as Gwadar port is on the priority of Prime Minister.
Chairman of the committee expressed concerns over amendments in the construction/realignment of Gwadar-Kashghar route saying that Baloch people have reservations and they are not being given jobs. The matter should be addressed before the processions of politician are started and the situation would further worsen if they join public processions. The inferiority complex of this province should be removed.
Chairman of the committee said that Rs 1.5 billion have been paid against the land worth Rs 50 million at Gwadar port and despite the Supreme Court's suo motu notice the issue could not be resolved for 5 years. Funds were released in 2005 for water supply in Quetta while pipes imported from Australia have disappeared and the case against the MD is with the NAB and surprisingly the MD is holding the office.
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