KARACHI, Feb 13: Director General Ports and Shipping Anwar Shah on Friday said that Pakistan is committed to making its ports and maritime activity secure by implementing ISPS Code of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Speaking as a chief guest at the closing ceremony of IMO- ISPS Code Workshop held at KPT Staff College, the DG Ports and Shipping said that the Ministry of Communication has already appointed four Recognized Security Organizations (RSOs) to work as classification societies.

Anwar Shah further said that all the stakeholders - port authorities and shipping companies - have been advised to draw security plans as per International Shipping and Ports Security (ISPS) Code.

"We are fully aware of the security requirements as Pakistan had been one of the worst victims of terrorist activities, therefore, we will always be willing to come forward and assist in implementation of ISPS security code," he asserted.

The DG Ports and Shipping further said that Pakistan was fully aware of its responsibility and role towards security requirements and would never lag behind in implementing the ISPS Code to meet global requirement.

Nevertheless, he said that terrorism had no religion, caste or creed, therefore, it could only be eliminated by addressing the core issues rather than shifting blames on one another. "If core issues are addressed and sorted out, we will not need so much security measures around the globe," he added.

Addressing the participants and high officials of the KPT, Mr Anwar Shah said efforts initiated by him five months ago to arrange five-day workshop on ISPS Code had finally borne fruits as it had created awareness in the country for the benefit of the maritime industry and allied personnel.

The DG was highly appreciative of the role played by the outgoing secretary general of IMO William O'Neil, who in recognition of the code and its significance for Pakistan with limited resources, was extremely helpful in approving the technical assistance for conducting this workshop.

Anwar Shah also lauded IMO team leader Frank Wall, Mr Edward and Mr Zhu in providing assistance for arranging the workshop and said that the 64 participants of the workshop were educated in basic concept of ISPS Code and advised that they should share the knowledge with other for future needs of the country in security matters.

Brig Iftikhar Ahmed Khan, director-general, administration, KPT, speaking on the occasion said that the imparting of knowledge about ISPS Code would greatly assist in ensuring safety of life at sea.

He said that despite the fact that he belonged to land forces but the basic concept of all securities and safety measures was almost the same whether they be at land, air or sea. Under second phase, he said the formulation of security plans for comprehensive safety of life at sea would be taken up.

Brig Iftikhar said on the interaction between shipping companies and ports minimum security standards required by the IMO would be made operative from July 1, 2004, to ensure life safety at the sea.

The IMO team leader Frank Wall speaking on the occasion said that security was a complex and difficult subject, by its very nature it tends to be classified.

While the world community must address the problems such as poverty, inequality and isolation which gave rise to security threats, "we must also address these threats and must co-operate globally in doing so," he added.

The SOLAS amendments and the ISPS Code adopted by the IMO, he said would be globally enforced from July 1, 2004. They establish an international framework which intends to provide confidence to the shipping and port industries, and the world community the industries serve.

Under ISPS Code, he said, a global framework was in place, and it seeks, in particular, to detect and deter acts of terrorism, which may involve maritime transport. The measures were adopted unanimously at IMO and a short timescale set for their global application was fast approaching.

Frank Wall said that he was confident that a significant amount of work was already under way in Pakistan to ensure that the deadline of July 1, 2004 was met.

"You are in no better, or worse, a position that most of the IMO member states who are working against the tight timetable in. If we have been able to assist you through this seminar we will have done our duty," he added.

He assured that IMO was committed to assisting developing countries to meet the deadline and said any advice or assistance needed will be immediately met by the IMO.