Zaidi briefs International Maritime body about performance of MoMA

ISLAMABAD Oct 13,2021

Federal Minister Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi and International Maritime Organization Secretary General Mr Kitack Lim hold important Video Conference.

In another first, a historic and important Zoom conference call was held between Federal Minister Ministry of Maritime Affairs (MoMA) Ali Haider Zaidi and International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary General Mr. Kitack Lim in Islamabad.

IMO is the United Nations specialized agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping. It also plays a vital role to arrest pollution by ships.

Federal Secretary MoMA Rizwan Ahmad, Pakistan’s High Commissioner in the UK Ambassador Moazzam Khan, Pakistan’s Maritime Coordinator at the IMO Captain Mohammad Shafiq and other IMO officials also attended the meeting.

Minister apprised the Secretary General about the robust and aggressive Marine Shipping policy providing tax and duty exemptions and encouraging foreign shipping to setup operations in Pakistan.

Minister also spoke in detail about the importance Pakistan is giving to Seafarers.

Describing them as “frontline soldiers”, he informed the Secretary General that Pakistan has declared Seafarers “Key Workers” as per the IMO guidelines. He further added that all their data has been digitalized which in turn fast tracks their visa obtaining process.

Mentioning the massive mangrove plantation drive that Ministry of Maritime Affairs is carrying out, Minister Zaidi spoke in detail about the clean and green vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

He informed how his ministry is leading the way with KPT and Port Qasim setting ambitious targets to plant millions of Mangroves across the coastline.

Minister Ali Zaidi also informed the Secretary General about Pakistan contesting the IMO Elections for “Category C” and the overwhelming support received from other countries.

The Secretary General had special praise for the MoMA in leading the vaccination drive from the front. Minister also informed the Secretary General that directions have been issued to both the ports to vaccinate crew on all ships sailing in and out from Pakistan Ports free of cost.