KARACHI: Stakeholders of Ports and Shipping sector unanimously favoured idea of establishing an autonomous Logistics Service Providers Regulatory Authority (LSPRA) which, amongst other affairs, will particularly be responsible to devise legal framework, issue guidelines, decide charges and monitor all activities of entire ports and shipping sector.

During meeting under supervision of Chairman Karachi Port Trust Syed Syedain Raza Zaidi held at KPT Head Office, it was agreed that LSPRA Bill, which has been pending since 2013, will be revisited in consultation with all stakeholders under the supervision of Chairman KPT to make necessary amendments as per current scenario and then forwarded to government for approval and implementation.

Besides President KCCI Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh and Chairman Customs and Valuation Subcommittee Sheikh Waqas Anjum, meeting was also attended by representatives of shipping companies, shipping agents, customs agents, freight forwarders, terminal operators and others.

President KCCI Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh informed that all stakeholders were of similar opinion as they strongly believe that it has become inevitable to establish regulatory body so that varying and unjust charges by shipping lines could be controlled, besides creating an enabling business environment for promoting Pakistan's trade and bringing port operations at par with international standards.

He appreciated resolve exhibited by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh and Chairman KPT Syed Syedain Raza Zaidi to improve performance of entire ports and shipping sector so that Pakistan's trade, particularly exports could be fully facilitated which was badly needed under prevailing scenario wherein country was battling hard for its economic survival.

Karachi Chamber has been constantly demanding to regulate shipping sector since 2013 but LSPRA Bill remains pending to date.