KARACHI: Rear Admiral Jawad Ahmed from the Pakistan Navy has assumed the charge of the post of Chairman, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation with effect from 30th September 2022.  

According to Secretary PNSC Muhammad Javaid, it has been done in pursuance of the charge assumption report dated 30th September 2022, a copy of which duly signed by Rear Admiral Jawad Ahmed was attached for information and record sent to Secretary, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Islamabad, Director to Minister, and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Islamabad.  

Earlier, the Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs had expressed concern and dismay over the administrative crisis in the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), triggered by the refusal of the former chairman Rizwan Ahmed to hand over charge to his successor, without any stay order from the Sindh High Court where he had filed a writ petition to save his post.  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appointed Rear Admiral Jawad Ahmed as chairman of the PNSC on August 5 and the new chairman went to the PNSC headquarters the same day to take charge. However, the former chairman of the state-owned entity, Rizwan Ahmed, refused to vacate the office on the grounds that he had obtained a stay order from the Sindh High Court.

The committee said that non-compliance with the prime minister’s order was a criminal offense, and the chairperson of the committee directed the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to take stern action against Rizwan Ahmed and curtail his financial and administrative powers. The committee was informed by officials of the ministry that there were alleged misappropriations in the purchase of vessels in the PNSC. In reply to queries, PNSC officials informed the committee that recently, on the instructions of the former chairman of PNSC Rizwan Ahmed, two vessels had been purchased for $42.75 million which were 14.5 years old and they could be further used only for the next 5.5 years.

Members of the committee had expressed concern over the information given to the panel and sought further details of the matter from the officials concerned. The chairperson directed the ministry concerned to initiate an inquiry into the issue and also refer the matter to the prime minister’s inspection commission.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 01 2022

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.