ISLAMABAD: A National Assembly standing committee on Tuesday expressed concern over the utilisation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds and directed the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) to submit original agreements signed with two gas transport companies—Karachi Gas Transport Ltd (KGTL) and Karachi Gas Terminal Maintenance Ltd (KGTML)—to ensure transparency.
The Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs, chaired by Abdul Qadir Patel, stressed that access to the original contracts was essential for proper oversight. While acknowledging some progress, the committee decided to seek additional documentation and convene a follow-up meeting to ensure full compliance.
During the meeting, members were briefed on the outsourcing of firefighting services at ports, which officials said had resulted in annual savings of Rs35 million. It was explained that outsourcing enabled access to specialised capabilities that were not available through in-house arrangements.
The committee also reviewed a proposal to establish a Facilitation Centre to improve public service delivery. Members welcomed the initiative and asked the ministry to provide regular progress updates.
On the legislative agenda, the committee examined four proposed maritime laws: the Environmentally Sound Management of Inventory of Hazardous Material on Ships Bill, 2025; the Port Qasim Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2025; the Gwadar Port Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2025; and the Karachi Port Trust (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Despite the Ministry of Law urging swift passage of the Hazardous Material Bill to align with international requirements, the committee opted to defer all four bills for further scrutiny. Members were invited to submit proposed amendments or suggestions by January 1, 2026.
The deferral reflects the committee’s cautious approach toward maritime legislation, particularly on issues related to environmental compliance and international obligations. The meeting concluded with a commitment to conduct thorough reviews and uphold both national and global standards.
Separately, regarding written questions submitted to the ministry, the committee agreed that members would review the responses and, if unsatisfied, could request a dedicated meeting with the KPT Secretary for further clarification.
Story by Zulfiqar Ahmad
