Govt tackling challenges through reforms, says Minister

While speaking in a meeting at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI), the Minister said that powers were shifted to the provinces after the 18th amendment which has created several issues. He said that fisheries is the third-largest trade in the world but Pakistan’s exports in this regard are negligible despite having all resources. He said that Sindh Fisheries has given the land on Karachi Port Trust on lease and fisheries sector is being neglected.

 Ali Haider Zaidi said that 90 per cent collection of the Federal Board of Revenue is from ports. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs is connected with all other ministries as most of the trading goods are being handled through ports. He said that Pakistan has a single terminal to handle coal. He said that the terminal of Pakistan Steel Mills is out of order for a long.

 He said that the price of containers increased due to growing demand. He said that negotiations on Port Qasim Agreements are well on the way. He said that such policies are being formed that can be followed by the people to come.

 The Minister said that commitments, which have made by the state in past are being rectified under rules and regulations. “We are improving efficiency rapidly through reforms”, he added.

The LCCI President Mian Tariq Misbah said that violation of manifestation by shipping companies results in delays and extra demurrage and warfare charges for the businesses. He also demanded rationalization of Terminal Handling Charges, Port Storage Charges and Container Detention Charges which have been increased excessively in recent times.

He said that unfair treatment of Shipping Companies about Container Security charges for the up-country businesses and recommended ensuring uniform charges.

 The LCCI President appreciated the Federal Minister for being much responsive about the issues related to Delivery Order (D/O) which includes the delays of 1 to 2 days in the issuance of D/O and over-charging by the shipping companies (varying from Rs20,000 to Rs50,000) for issuance of Delivery Order.

He said that issues like inadequate free days for clearing shipments, reluctance in receiving of containers as per place of delivery, inappropriate container examination techniques employed by the staff at ports should be resolved immediately.

LCCI appeals NCOC to consider businesses while making decisions

LCCI President Mian Tariq Misbah has said that it would have been easier to implement the decisions of NCOC if the stakeholders were consulted before putting lockdown and reducing working hours.

‘We want to support the government in these difficult times, but the government should also take us into confidence’.

While addressing an emergency press conference with representatives of the business community at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on the government's decision to close the markets at 6 pm and take a holiday on Saturday and Sunday, the LCCI president said that at the federal level, they have appealed the Federal Minister Asad Umer and Provincial Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal to reconsider the decision.

He said that retail timing has been fixed till 8 Pm in all other provinces while in Punjab this timing has been reduced to 6 Pm. NCOC should issue uniform notification all over the country or at least the retail sector should be allowed to operate in Punjab till 8 o'clock.

Reducing the time of the markets increases the rush which is more likely to spread the coronavirus. Therefore, the markets should be allowed to remain open for a longer time, he added.