20000106

Cabinet concerned over PNSC health

New maritime policy to be prepared for improving shipping sector

T A MALIK

ISLAMABAD: The Cabinet on Wednesday directed the Ministry of Communication to formulate 'Maritime Policy' and submit detailed proposals for improvement of the shipping sector.

The joint meeting of the Cabinet and National Security Council was held here with Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf in the chair. The meeting reviewed the progress on development projects of the ministry of communications undertaken to provide modern, efficient and adequate infrastructure and to upgrade services to meet the economic development needs of the country.

Communication Secretary Dr Akram Sheikh, gave a detailed resume of the performance of different sectors and the progress achieved on development projects.

About the performance of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), the Chief Executive emphasised to gear up the efforts to make the Corporation efficient and profitable and expand its activities in cargo and oil transportation.

Sources said that the Cabinet was informed that the Corporation was facing loss of millions of rupees for the last many years. The shipping policy was announced during the regime of General Zia-ul-Haq and the later governments neglected this important sector, totally.

The Cabinet was informed that the present management of PNSC has reduced its expenditures but the Corporation is still in deficit.

Communication Secretary told the Cabinet that the Corporation is the owner of only one ship and is running its business by taking ships on hire from other companies.

The Cabinet noted that 60 to 80 percent import and export business through Corporation can make it a profitable organisation but there was need for more ships.

It was decided to grant the first right of refusal to the PNSC for transportation of national cargo and oil. This decision would go a long way in increasing the operation of PNSC and the Corporation might be able to contribute to the national economy more effectively.

The Chief Executive said that the PTCL was being made part of the Ministry of Science and Technology to accelerate progress in the field of information technology (IT) and telecommunications for achieving dynamic progress in these fields.

PTCL

Akram informed the Cabinet that the PTCL would work as independent division under the Ministry of Science and Technology, and notification has been issued from January 1, 2000, to this effect. He said that the monopoly of the PTCL to provide telephone connections would expire in December 2002.

He said that PTA, NTC and PTML would also work under Ministry of Science and Technology.

Sources said that the Cabinet was informed that mobile phone service of the PTCL would be initiated by the end of this year.

Reviewing the projects of National Highway Authority the meeting observed that an integrated approach should be adopted for improving the transportation facilities, both road and rail.

The meeting also discussed a report by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on human rights issues. It was decided to set up a sub-committee headed by Law and Justice, Minister Aziz A Munshi to examine and put up its recommendations to the Cabinet.

The meeting was also attended by the provincial governors, by special invitation.