First woman as KPT chairperson

KARACHI (June 10 2008): In a highly important development on Monday, Nasrin Haq became the first woman to head the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) as its chief executive. In her appointment, the port authority is having a civilian as its chief after a lapse of at least 18 years.

Nasrin’s appointment has, however, evoked a considerable controversy. According to sources, the Director-General (DG), Ports and Shipping, Vice Admiral Asad Qureshi, who had taken over the additional charge of KPT following the retirement of Vice Admiral Ahmed Hayat on May 31, 2008, handed over the charge to Nasrin Haq at 3pm at the KPT Head Office.

Sources said that Nasrin, a Grade-20 bureaucrat from Pakistan Railways, has been appointed as KPT chairperson on a Grade-22 slot, which could only be filled by a Grade-21 officer.

When contacted, Vice Admiral Asad Qureshi confirmed that he had handed over his additional charge to Nasrin. Qureshi, however, refused to make any comment on the merits of her appointment, saying the order had come from the establishment, and that he had nothing to comment on it. Sources said that the lady had been appointed as KPT Chairperson on “same grade (20) and salary scale” that she used to have in her previous organisation.

The new KPT chief could not reached for her comments. Three names were under consideration for the vacant position. Of these, two were from civil institutions while one was from the armed forces.

Bedsides Nasrin Haq, the other candidates were Pakistan People’s Party leader and a noted industrialist Mirza Ikhtiyar Baig, who contested from NA-251 in February 18 2008 elections and lost to an MQM candidate, and Admiral Haroon.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:6/10/2008