KARACHI: PNSC lawyer did not file comments/defense on September 15 even after a period of one month and case filed by Rizwan Ahmed removed chairman of PNSC by order of Prime Minister has been adjourned till next hearing in office.

According to analysts lawyer being paid by PNSC whose chairman is still Rizwan Ahmed, having signing authority of paycheck is under influence of petitioner so how it could be possible that he will file comments against Rizwan Ahmed?

Earlier, Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs was informed on September 14 that Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan has been requested to take cognisance of serious irregularities by Pakistan National Shipping Corporation management in Karachi. Senator Rubina Khalid, Chairperson and other members of Committee expressed their resentment on absence of Minister and asked Secretary of Maritime Affairs to communicate concerns of Committee to Minister for Maritime Affairs.

Committee was informed that Prime Minister had replaced four members of Board of Directors of PNSC on August 5, 2022, but Board meetings are still being held with old members and new members of Board are not allowed to attend Board meetings. It was disclosed that Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan has been requested to take note of this serious irregularity. Standing Committee showed its concern about meetings of PNSC Board of Directors with old members. Committee also questioned validity of decisions of Board meetings and did not take briefings on purchase of used tankers/vessels.

Former chairman of PNSC Rizwan Ahmed still occupying charge was a blue-eyed of Imran Khan’s PTI Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi. Therefore, soon after his retirement as Secretary of Maritime Affairs in December 2021, he was appointed as chairman of PNSC violating government rules that a retired government employee cannot join any government job before expiry of at least two years after his retirement. Incumbent Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif removed him as chairman of PNSC with three other directors. 

As earlier reported by “National Courier” Rizwan Ahmed instead of executing Prime Minister’s order not only refused to hand over charge to newly appointed chairman PNSC but also filed a writ petition in Sindh High Court against it. Court had fixed date of hearing on September 15, 2022.    

Senate Committee also deferred discussion on Merchant Marine Shipping Policy 2001 and decided to invite private sector stakeholders to next meeting of Committee. Meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs was held at Parliament House to examine details of two used tankers/vessels recently purchased by Pakistan National Shipping Corporation and to discuss Pakistan Merchant Marine Shipping Policy 2001.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 16 2022

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