KARACHI, March 14: Pakistan Ship’s Agents Association (PSAA) has taken serious note of long delay in finalization of port bills at Port Qasim despite the fact that shipping agents deposit port dues in advance of arrival of vessels.

In a communication to Secretary Ports and Shipping Fazlur Rehman, PSAA Honorary Secretary Mohammed A. Rajpar said that the performance of the finance department of PQA remained pathetic as it took more than agreed 21 days to finalize port dues bill.

“Unfortunately, the process of bill finalization takes an inordinately long time resulting in blockage of huge funds belonging to our members,” he asserted. There has been no improvement on this front despite our repeated representation to concerned officials, he added.

Mr Rajpar said that in a meeting with PQA chairman held on November 26, 2004, the issue was discussed for reducing time and PQA was supposed to look into this matter on priority basis and meet the timeframe of 21 days for issuance of port charges bill.