ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan banned on off-loading of imported coal ships at Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and directed Chairman Port Muhammad Bin Qasim to arrange all the facilities to offloading imported coal ships within 6 weeks.
Directives were issued by division bench, comprising Chief Justice Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah on Wednesday’s hearing at Karachi Registry.
During the hearing, petitioner, Vino Advani, president of Karachi Hindu Gymkhana appeared before the court and argued that city’s pollution has been increased due the coal ships which are off loading at Karachi Port Trust and shifted to all over the country via main city, therefore, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nasir summon chairmen of KPT and Port Muhammad Bin Qasim and main importers.
On called of Supreme Court, Chairmen of KPT and PMBQ appeared before the court along with importers and others officials, chairman PMBQ informed the court that on his port every facility is available and court may direct importers to off load their ships at PMBQ right now and if any importer has reservation than they will further improve, however, chief justice observed that importers cannot off load their coal ships at PMBQ due to their financial interests, however, he will not allowed off load any coal ship at KPT.
After the hearing, Chief Justice directed parties to arrange all the facilities at PMBQ and make ensure that no new ship would be off loading at KPT after 6 weeks, court also banned open godwons of coal all over the cit