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KARACHI, Aug 25: Justice Shabbir Ahmed of the Sindh High Court on Monday issued notices to the Ministry of Communications, Karachi Port Trust, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation and the Environmental Protection Agency for Aug 29 on a petition praying to the court to direct the defendants to take necessary steps to protect environment and marine life, and to ensure that Karachi and its coastline is kept free from pollution.
Petitioner Sherry Rehman had also prayed that the court direct the defendants to remove the wreckage of the oil tanker, which ran aground on July 27 near the Karachi port, and clean up the beaches.
Barrister Kamal Azfar appeared for the petitioner, while Justice (retd) Shaiq Usmani appeared on behalf of the Karachi Port Trust.
REFINERIES: A petition was filed in the Sindh High Court on Monday against a contract between oil refineries and the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation for exclusive rights for 10 years to transport cargo for the refineries from outside Pakistan at an exorbitant rate of freight, and prayed to declare it illegal.
The petitioner, advocate Aga Faquir Mohammad, moved the SHC under Article 199 of the Constitution and named the KPT, PNSC, Polebros Shipping, Mercantile Marine Department and the joint secretary/director-general Port & Shipping, Ministry of Communications, as respondents.
He submitted that oil refineries in Pakistan were compelled to enter into contract with the PNSC giving exclusive rights for transport of crude oil for refineries at a rate to be fixed by the federal government.— PPI
