ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee on Tuesday directed the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) to submit a report within one week outlining the reasons behind the delay in clearing containers at the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT). It said that the report must include a detailed account of the affected containers, the causes of the delays, and the parties responsible for the backlog. The National Assembly Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs, chaired by Abdul Qadir Patel, also clarified that shipments booked before the implementation of new regulations should adhere to the rules that were in place at the time of booking. To address the issue, the committee formed a subcommittee, led by KPT Chairman Rear Admiral (retd) Shahid Ahmed. READ ALSO: KPT handles all-time high cargo in FY25 The subcommittee will also include representatives from the Law Ministry, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and the Plant Protection Department, with a mandate to resolve the matter within a week. At the outset of the meeting, the committee expressed concerns over the absence of the Secretary of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Syed Zafar Ali Shah, and emphasised that he should inform the committee in advance if he is unable to attend future sessions. The committee commended KPT’s swift response to a fire at KICT on 16 January 2026, and decided to send a letter of appreciation to KPT’s chairman and the firefighting team for their efforts in managing the incident. In a discussion on procurement procedures, the committee criticised KPT’s interpretation of a directive from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding the direct purchase of crafts and vessels from Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works. The committee deemed the interpretation to be incorrect and misleading. The Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry assured that, in line with the prime minister’s vision, the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PEPRA) Rules would be strictly followed in future transactions, and any violations would be addressed. The committee also reviewed several bills, including the Environmentally Sound Management of Inventory of Hazardous Material on Ships Bill, 2025, and amendments to the Port Qasim Authority Bill, Gwadar Port Authority Bill, and Karachi Port Trust Bill, 2025. After extensive deliberation, the committee unanimously approved the Environmentally Sound Management of Inventory of Hazardous Material on Ships Bill and deferred the remaining bills for discussion at the next meeting. It also directed the legal departments of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Law Ministry to ensure uniformity across all bills related to ports and to incorporate amendments proposed by committee members. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026