March 2, 2006	Thursday	Safar 1, 1427

KARACHI, March 1: The Port Qasim Authority has hired the services of a consultant to carry out a study and suggest the development plan for a 45-km long water front of the port starting from Gizri Creek to Gharo.

The consulting firm — ECIL — has been asked to suggest best use of coastal area and improve skyline along the coast of the port. This will include building of a number of terminals along Bundal and Khiprianwala islands requiring deeper draught.

The PQA is also planning to establish a multi-billion-dollar LNG terminal, which is badly needed to meet the growing energy requirements of the country.

Meanwhile, a team of Malaysian consultants hired by the Gwadar Port Authority for preparing past plan and related infrastructure on Wednesday visited the Port Qasim. PQA Chairman Vice-Admiral Asad Qureshi briefed the delegation about port’s activities being carried out under the concept of landlord port.

The PQA chairman briefly gave the development and other progress made by the port during the last 25 years and stressed upon the need for developing infrastructure prior to inviting investment.