Islamabad: The Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs, under the leadership of Abdul Qadir Patel, convened to scrutinize operational and labor concerns at the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and the Karachi Dock Labor Board (KDLB).

According to Press Information Department, the committee’s session in Islamabad involved detailed discussions on KPT’s organizational structure, litigation, and deputations, along with the challenges and future outlook for the KDLB. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, along with KPT Chairman and other senior officials, presented updates and participated in the deliberations.

The KPT was specifically tasked with reporting its current organizational setup, active litigation cases, and employee deputation details, aimed at enhancing transparency and addressing ongoing challenges. The meeting also focused on labor relations, with representatives from the KDLB labor union voicing their issues directly to the committee.

Federal Minister Sheikh recognized the critical role of the workforce and committed to a balanced approach to resolving labor disputes, while the KPT Chairman advocated for joint efforts to find workable solutions. Committee Chair Abdul Qadir Patel stressed the priority of resolving labor issues at the KDLB through collaborative efforts.

The committee plans to continue its review in a subsequent meeting scheduled at the Karachi Port Trust, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder involvement in fostering effective maritime governance.