15 April 2005	Friday	04 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1426

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ISLAMABAD, April 14: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MNA Kunwar Khalid Younus on Wednesday questioned claims of $6.640 billion made by four departments of the country on account of losses suffered by them due to the sinking of ‘Tasman Spirit’ off Karachi port. The MQM MNA was speaking on the floor of the National Assembly during the question-hour.

In response to a question by MMA lawmaker Mohammad Laeeque Khan, the house was told that the Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Pakistan Navy, Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works and the Defence Housing Authority had collectively made a claim of over $6.640 billion on account of losses suffered due to the sinking of the ship.

Mr Younus said that he had studied a few similar cases in history when ships met similar accidents in the US and Japan, but such huge losses were never reported in any of those cases.

He asked federal Minister for Communications Shamim Siddiqi, who was responding to the question in the absence of Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghouri, to provide a breakdown of the losses’ claim made by each department.

Responding to Mr Younus’ point, the minister said the real picture would emerge when the government received the report of the Special Environment Committee assessing losses from the accident.

He said the committee was busy assessing the damage caused to marine life and natural resources due to the sinking of ‘Tasman Spirit’. He said the departments would be asked to submit their claims to the company only after receiving the committee’s final report.

Earlier, Federal Minister for Communications Shamim Siddiqi informed the National Assembly that the KPT had made a claim of $1.034 billion, Pakistan Navy $5.547 million, Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works $0.700 million and the Defence Housing Authority $5.600 billion on account of the shipwreck.