Islamabad, February 17, 2022 (PPI-OT):Meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs was held under the Chairpersonship of Senator Rubina Khalid here at the Parliament House on Wednesday. The committee offered Fateha on the sad demise of the father of the Minister of Maritime Affairs, Mr Syed Ali Haider Zaidi and prayed for elevation of high ranks.

At the outset Rubina Khalid, Chairperson Committee raised the issue of the scarcity of supply of fresh drinking water in Gwadar. The Secretary Ministry of Maritime Affairs informed that 3 Million Gallon water is supplied per day for 100 thousand population of Gwadar whereas there is demand of 5 Million Gallon water per day.

The Secretary Maritime Affairs gave assurance that by July additional 1.5 million gallon water will be supplied to Gwadar, The Secretary also pointed out that the storage capacity of the water is limited due to the tank sizes. Senator Naseema Ehsan also highlighted the issue of scarcity of fresh drinking water for the people of Gwadar.

The Committee discussed the proposal to establish LNG import Terminals at Gwadar Port and virtual LNG pipeline (Vehicle based) to allow additional future LNG imports through Gwadar Port in detail. The Committee was informed that three applications have been received for installation of LNG terminals at Gwadar port. The committee was briefed about the status of these applications and the stance of GPA on the same.

Chairman GPA informed that the Gwadar Port Master Plan offers a detailed plan and dedicated location for establishment of LNG Terminals and associated onshore and offshore installations. He said LNG terminals can be established at the dedicated location as per approved Gwadar Port Master Plan. The Chairperson Committee deferred the matter for further deliberation during the next meeting.

The committee reviewed the development and non-development budget allocated, and its utilization by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and its attached departments, during first six months of financial year 2021-22. It was apprised that the Up-gradation of Berthing Facilities for Boats at Gwadar has physically progressed by 100 pc with an allocation budget of 37.975 Million.

Other projects include construction of Eastbay Express, Pak-China Technical and Vocational Institute at Gwadar and Acquisition of Marine Services Vessels for Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) with 93pc, 90pc and 85 pc physical progresses. Rehabilitation of Leading Light Tower, Gwadar is also in progress by 40pc with an allocated budget of 20.590 Million Rupees.

The committee also reviewed the budget allocation and expenditure for the financial year 2021-22, the committee was informed that a budget of 1190 million rupees is allocated for the year 2022-22. The Korangi Fisheries’ harbour authority, Karachi was granted budget of total 76,000,000 million rupees out of which 55pc expenditure has been utilized up to 31-12-2021.

The meeting was attended by Senator Abida Muhammad Azeem, Mohammad Abdul Qadir, Kauda Babar, Danesh Kumar, and Senator Naseema Ehsan. Senior officials of the Ministry along with its attached departments were also in attendance.

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