MINUTES OF THE PSAA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
MEETING HELD ON 07.01.2011 AT 3.30 P.M.
AT ASSOCIATION’S OFFICE, KARACHI
Present:
Mr.Mohammed A.RajparChairman
Mr.Tariq HaleemVice Chairman
Mr.Asim Saeed KhanExecutive Committee Member
Capt.Mohammad InamExecutive Committee Member
Mr.Nader CowasjeeExecutive Committee Member
Capt.S.Kamal Ahmed MahmoodiExecutive Committee Member
Mr.M.Kareem IspahaniExecutive Committee Member
Mr.Khalid W.Khokhar Executive Committee Member
Mr.Ovais-ur-RehmanExecutive Committee Member
Mr.Amir Ali JamalSecretary General
Mr.S.Tahir HussainDeputy Secretary
Regrets:
Ms.Ava A.CowasjeeImmediate Past Chairperson
Capt.Nusrat IqbalExecutive Committee Member
A meeting of the Executive Committee was held on Friday, 01.01.2011 at 3.30 p.m. at Association’s office, Karachi.
1) To confirm minutes of the EC meeting held on 10.11.2010.
The minutes of the above meeting were approved by all present.
Matters Arising:
a) Plan of activities for 2010-2011 to DGTO:Mr.Amir Ali Jamal informed this was sent to DGTO.
b) Meeting with PIFFA:Mr.Amir Ali Jamalinformed that yesterday PIFFA had sent itsr agenda and requested for meeting with PSAA for which date is to be proposed. Mr.Mohammed A.Rajpar replied to suggest some date in week 17 and to request PIFFA to elaborate the agenda points.
c) Port Health Officer (PHO):Mr.Amir Ali Jamal informed that he alongwith Mr.Tariq Haleem met with Dr.Abdul Qadir Bhutto and informed him about harassment/un-lawful demands during completion of Port Health office requirements.
Mr.Mohammed A.Rajpar inquired about PHO attitude after the meeting and requested Capt.Kamal Mahmoodi and Capt.Nusrat Iqbal to investigate appraise EC regarding on this issue.
2) To ratify nomination on KDLB.
The meeting ratified the name of Mr.Mohammed A.Rajpar as nominee of PSAA on KDLB Board for two years effective 30.12.2010.
3) To discuss investment in Saudi Pak Leasing (SPL).
Mr.Amir Ali Jamalinformed that for the last many years we have been investing with SPL an amount of Rs.500,000. Now SPLis not renewing the investment due to its
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policy and returned our investment so we have to investigatenew investment options. He added he has investigated with couple of Banks for this purpose who are offering around 12% per annum.
Capt.S.Kamal Ahmed Mahmoodi informed that he has seen a billboard of some bank on I.I.Chundrigar Roadoffering to make the investment double in six years but would not remember the Bank’s name. However, he will find out and inform the Secretariat.
Other participants present were of the view that best option available is National Savings Centre schemes which are safe and sound being Government guaranted.
EC formed a Sub-Committee comprising Mr.Kareem Ispahani, Capt.S.Kamal Ahmed Mahmoodi and Mr.Amir Ali Jamal to investigate the best possible option and invest accordingly.
4) To discuss Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO).
Mr.Amir Ali Jamalinformed that as discussed in the previous EC meeting members were informed about FTO issue on 12.11.2010. Thereafter a meeting of container handling members was held on 24.11.2010 to discuss this issue in depth. It was unanimously decided that PSAA should request FTOto provide an opportunity to present Shipping Agents' point of view. Subsequently on 26.11.2010 FTO was requested accordingly. FTO accepted the request and called for hearing on 10.12.2010 which was adjourned as Chairman PSAA was out of country.
Mr.M.Kareem Ispahani suggested to provide comparison of ancillary charges and THC being charged atother regional ports.Mr.Amir Ali Jamalreplied we have a lot of material on this issue and are providing the same to various stakeholders from time to time as this is an issue which PSAA is fighting now for many years.
Mr.Mohammed A.Rajpar suggested we should educate FTO regarding various charges. He was also of the opinion that in case of negative decision, judicial remedies/options are also available.
5) To discuss membership application.
The meeting approved the membership application of M/s.Waterlink Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd.
6) To discuss revision of Secretary General’s remuneration.
Mr.Mohammed A.Rajpar informed that last increase in remuneration of Mr.Amir Ali Jamal, Secretary General took effect on 01.01.2010 hence increment was due. After due deliberation, it was decided to increase his remuneration from Rs.45,000 to Rs.56,250 per month (inclusive of all allowances) effective 01.01.2011.
7) Any other business with the permission of the Chair.
a) Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP): Mr.Amir Ali Jamal informed that today four officers from CCP visited the Secretariat and searched the Secretariat record/files and also took away several files with them for further investigation. This action was taken on the complaint of All Pakistan Paper Merchants Association.
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Capt.Kamal Mahmoodi was of the view that we should meet CCP Chairperson and explain our position.Mr.Mohammed A.Rajpar suggested to obtain legal advice in this regard and asked Mr.Amir Ali Jamal to send today’s letter authorizing CCP to search the office to Mr.Abdur Rahman of M/s.M.Naim-ur-Rahman & Associaties.
b) Interaction with Media:Mr.Mohammed A.Rajpar informed the participants that only Chairman and Secretary General are authorized to interact with electronic and print media.
c) Outstanding KDLB Cess payable by KPT:Mr.Mohammed A.Rajpar informed that finally KPT has admitted its liability of KDLB Cess on cargo handled at KICT and now mechanism of payment is being examined. If this is done, then Cess charges can be reduced even further.
d) Unethical practices by Clearing Agents: The Meeting discussed the issue raised by M/s.Ispi Corporation vide its letter dated 14.12.2010. Mr.M.Kareem Ispahani was requested to:
i) Draft a circular for our members as a general advisory on how they protect/beware regarding Afghan Transit B/Ls.
ii) Enquire whether ISPI made any de-stuffing request to KPT.
ii) Obtain Legal opinion whether PSAA can simply declare defaulter any Clearing Agent/Consignee as defaulter on the advice of its Members.
e) Following resolution was passed:
“RESOLVED THAT Mr. Mohammed A. Rajpar, the Chairman of the Pakistan Ship’s Agents Association and Mr. Amir Ali Jamal, the Secretary General of the Pakistan Ship’s Agents Association are hereby authorized to:
1.Look after and prosecute/defend litigation matters pending in the any court, tribunal or authority in Pakistan and in this regard to give such appropriate instructions as they deem fit.
2.To replace, engage or appoint any legal practitioner for the purpose of conducting and prosecuting the litigation matters.
3.To sign, verify and affirm on oath or others, pleading, affidavits or documents in support of any suit, appeal, constitution petition or any other proceeding before any court tribunal or authority in Pakistan.
4.To make, present or oppose any application in connection with any proceedings relating to the litigation matters and if necessary swear on oath any affidavit in support thereof.
5.To produce or summon or receive back documentary evidence in any proceedings mentioned above.
6.To file an appeal against any order or judgment in any of the matters mentioned above including but not limited to filing an appeal in the High Court of Sindh or in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
7.To apply for inspection of any premises, documents and record.
8.To obtain certified copies of documents and papers filed in any of the litigation matters above mentioned.
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9.To initiate an legal action or other legal proceedings for relief as they shall in their entire discretion deems necessary to prosecute, discontinue or compromise any such action or proceedings and to file appeal against any judgment of any court in any such action or proceedings and to file appeal against any judgment of any court in any such action or proceedings.
AND in furtherance of the powers herein conferred they are authorized generally to do all acts necessary or expedient in the interest of the Pakistan Ship’s Agents Association”.
There being no other business, the meeting terminated at 17:00 hours with a vote of thanks to the Chair.
Confirmed
Date: ______Chairman: ______