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ISLAMABAD, Nov 20: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday said that efficient functioning of ports was critical to the development of a country.
While reviewing the performance of the ports and shipping sector, he directed the ministry of shipping to activate its shipping policy in order to make it more proactive and profitable, a press release issued here said.
Shaukat Aziz urged the PNSC to invite the private sector to join its operations. Ports have vast land areas which, with good ports management, could be developed into useful and productive outlets, he said.
He complimented the Karachi Port Trust for undertaking the civic work in Karachi and urged that it should be followed by other public sector organizations. "We expect that the ports will play their vital role in expanding trade and commercial activities within the country and region," he said.
"Ports cannot operate in isolation," he said, adding that "there is a need to integrate and correlate our port activities with the ports of other countries." The prime minister directed the PNSC authorities to expand their tankers capacity so that more tonnage of cargo could be handled at the ports.
The meeting also observed that there was a need to expand the PNSC fleet so that it could provide full coverage to the region and beyond.
"We have to look for results and for actions," the prime minister said while reviewing the goals and targets of the shipping ministry. He expressed his satisfaction on the development plans being undertaken in the areas of Port Qasim, Gwadar and Karachi ports.
The prime minister was given briefing on the upgradation of PNSC. Ports and Shipping Minister Babar Khan Ghauri, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Aneesa Zeb Tahirkheli, Dr Farooq Sattar, MNA, Attorney General of Pakistan Barrister Makhdoom Ali Khan and other officials of the PNSC, PQA, and KPT were present on the occasion.
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also reviewed development projects and schemes for the provision of gas, clean drinking water and electricity recommended by parliamentarians.
He directed that these schemes should be started immediately to provide relief and benefit to the people. He said providing basic civic amenities to the people were the first priority of his government.
The prime minister directed the ministry of finance and the planning division to release funds immediately for economic activity that would create job opportunities in the country.
