Customs gets high-speed boats to combat smuggling

KSEW, along with a Dutch group, built the boats

Shipping containers are stacked on a cargo ship in a dock. PHOTO: REUTERS

KARACHI:
Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance and Economic Affairs Dr Miftah Ismail on Saturday said construction of high-speed Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) patrol boats by the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW), in collaboration with the Damen group, reflected Pakistan’s close relations with the Netherlands.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony of the two speed boats built for the Pakistan Customs, Ismail said the induction of these boats would enhance capabilities of the customs in combating the menace of smuggling. Appreciating timely construction of the boats, he said KSEW’s management and workforce had made remarkable efforts to achieve financial turnaround of the organisation and make it a profitable entity.


The country faced many issues when the present government came to power in 2013, including shortage of energy, economic problems, poor law and order situation, Ismail said, adding the government, however, managed to overcome those problems. “Our GDP growth has improved in recent years compared to the year 2013,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11th, 2018.