Vawda stands tall, recovers Rs60b

Senate committee orders cancellation of controversial sale of Port Qasim land

ISLAMABAD:

The Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs on Tuesday reviewed critical issues related to the management of maritime assets, particularly the controversial sale of 500 acres of land at Port Qasim. The committee, chaired by Senator Faisal Vawda, later ordered cancellation of the sale.

Vawda later expressed his gratitude for the swift action taken by the committee, stating, "Had we not intervened and exposed the corruption, the country would have lost Rs60 billion. Our collective action ensured that the fraudulent sale was canceled within 72 hours of our recommendations."

According to a press release, the committee delved into the sale of 500 acres of land at Port Qasim, which was reportedly sold for a mere 2 percent advance, amounting to a fraction of its actual value, estimated at Rs60 billion.

The senator questioned the legitimacy of the transaction, stating, "Only 2 percent was taken after selling land worth Rs60 billion. If the transaction was legitimate, why was it reversed within 72 hours?"

The land was originally allotted for industrial use in 2006, and the committee heard from officials that an out-of-court settlement had been pursued in this matter.

However, Vawda raised doubts, questioning why the land was sold for just 10 percent of its actual value and why the board did not take action sooner. "Who authorized the Port Qasim Board to sell land worth Rs60 billion for just Rs5 billion? This goes beyond their scope and authority," he remarked.

In his remarks, the senator outlined three options for dealing with such cases of mismanagement and corruption, "Surrender, admit the corruption, or fight against it." He emphasized the importance of holding accountable those responsible for the financial loss to the country.

Senator Danesh Kumar raised concerns about the lack of a permanent chairman at both the Karachi and Gwadar ports, stressing the need for stable leadership in the maritime sector.