The Federal Minister was accompanied with Mr Zubair Motiwala, SBP officials, Secretary Commerce along with KPT members. Mr Faisal Sabzwari mentioned that the country is going through tough economic situation and the issue of pending LCs at port is causing major problems. In this regard he said, “100% charges of KPT and port authorities charges will be waived off. We are here for the business community”.
Further, regarding charges related to shipping lines which is in the form of demurrage he said”
it was misinterpreted by media that shipping lines business is getting closed. This news is totally baseless. They have agreed that they will waive off some percentage of container charges for the shipments at different spaces on ports based on case to case basis”.
In addition to this, on the insistence of business community, the Federal Minister said “if businesses want we will even do de-stuffing and cross-stuffing in order to facilitate them. This will end issues related to terminal issues and this is what is the need of the hour for businesses. PICT have assured that they have off-dock terminals and they are willing to provide this facility to businesses free of cost. Further, Port Qasim have also allowed this facility de-stuffing to businesses as well on their facility free of cost”.
Secretary Commerce Mr Sualeh Faruqi said that we are considering shifting to barter system with countries. However, this will take time since amendments will have to be made in certain laws.
