ISLAMABAD, Feb 24 (APP): The National Assembly Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs, chaired by MNA Abdul Qadir Patel, on Tuesday unanimously approved the Environmentally Sound Management of Inventory of Hazardous Material on Ships Bill, 2025, while deferring other port-related amendment bills for further legal vetting.
The Committee reviewed the legislative bills, including the Port Qasim Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2025; the Gwadar Port Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2025; and the Karachi Port Trust (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
After detailed deliberations and discussions, the Committee unanimously approved the Environmentally Sound Management of Inventory of Hazardous Material on Ships Bill, 2025 and deferred the remaining Bills until the next meeting.
The meeting offered collective prayers for martyrs who have laid down their lives in various terrorism incidents across the country and patience and strength for their bereaved families.
At the very outset, the Committee showed its concern on absence of the Secretary MOMA and observed that in future the Secretary shall intimate in advance to the Secretary Committee for his inability to attend the meeting.
The Committee confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting and considered Agenda Item No. 2 regarding comprehensive reports on the implementation status of previous recommendations.
The Committee reviewed each recommendation separately. The Committee showed its satisfaction on the continue monitoring of outsourced firefighters’ services arrangements by the KPT.
The Committee also appreciate the prompt response of KPT to control fire occurred in the KICT premises on 16th January, 2026. The Committee, upon request of the Minister, decided to issue appreciation letter to the Chairman KPT and Rear Admiral Kashif and its fire-fighting team for their services in this regard.
Regarding direct procurement of crafts and vessels, etc., by the KPT from Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works, The Committee observed that the interpretation of the PM directive by the KPT in not only incorrect but mis-led the Committee too. The Minister assured the Committee that, as per vision of the Prime Minister, PEPRA Rules shall be observed in letter and spirit in every case.
The Committee recommended that no violation from PEPRA Rules shall be tolerated.
The Committee directed the legal department of the MOMA and the law ministry to make all the Bills related to ports uniform and incorporate amendments suggested by the Members.
The meeting was attended by Malik Shakir Bashir Awan, MNA; Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, MNA; Mr. Isphanyar M. Bhandara, MNA; Mr. Pullain Baloch, MNA, Mr. Hassaan Sabir, MNA, Mr. Ahmed Atteeq Awan, the Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs; in addition to the Secretary, officers, and staff from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, PQT, KPT, PNSC, and GPA attended the meeting.