ISLAMABAD: Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Ports Pakistan Khurram Aziz Khan called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and informed that company would invest $ 250 million in Karachi Port during next 10 years.

Company CEO, who was accompanied by delegation, also told that fully equipped multipurpose terminal, being constructed through $ 130 million investment, would be completed within two years. Delegation members briefed Prime Minister about company's investment in improvement of container terminal facility at Karachi Port featuring X control, automated gates, 200-meter expansion in berth, crane rail track and development of infrastructure. It was told that after development of new infrastructure, cargo ships of up to 120,000 tons capacity would be able to anchor at port to boost economic activity. Prime Minister Shehbaz called for using modern technology and machinery to improve cargo and container handling at port besides reducing clearance time to minimum.

He said that objective of agreement with Abu Dhabi Ports was to ensure transparency, enhance capacity and improve port operations.  He assured that government would extend maximum support in executing agreement to achieve maximum benefits. Prime Minister directed railway authorities to provide freight bogies and other necessary rolling stock to operationalise project and improve transportation of cargo from terminal. Earlier, PM Shehbaz issued directives to take steps to minimise Customs clearance time by installing modern equipment and machinery at Port Qasim and Karachi Port Trust. He instructed to ensure installation of state of art scanning machinery at ports besides taking steps on priority to fully benefit from ports' potential.  He further directed to increase capacity of supply of goods to and from Karachi Port through railway.

"Fees for LNG ships at Port Qasim should be reduced and fixed according to prevailing rates at international level," Prime Minister said adding that comprehensive action plan for regulation of shipping lines should be prepared and presented on priority.