The Singapore Port Authority (SPA) and its partners —National Logistics Cell and AKD group — have finally been allowed to quit the Gwadar Port’s 40-year management and development contract after the government’s failure to transfer 584 acres of land in adverse possession of Pakistan Navy at the mouth of the port to pave way for its takeover by China.
“We have not been able to meet contractual obligations and resolve land issues. As a result they (SPA and its partners) have gone under duress and we issued them an NOC (no objection certificate) yesterday to give up their (management, operation, maintenance and development) contract,” Ports and Shipping Minister Babar Khan Ghauri told a meeting of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping on Tuesday. Full story
