Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs, Senator Faisal Vawda, has alleged that Rs50-60 billion was stolen under the current government while claiming that Rs60 billion was saved through collective efforts.

Expressing his frustration during the committee meeting, he asserted, “We have three options: surrender, accept corruption, or fight.”

The meeting, chaired by Senator Vawda, was attended by Chairman Port Qasim and Acting Chairman Karachi Port Trust.

Senator Dinesh Kumar raised concerns over the absence of permanent chairpersons at Gwadar and Karachi ports, questioning whether the interim chairpersons should continue to handle matters indefinitely.

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Vawda reiterated that the committee must choose between surrendering, accepting corruption, or fighting against it.

He highlighted a land deal signed on July 9, 2024, involving 500 acres, where 365 acres were paid for, but 500 acres were allocated.

Additionally, only 2% of the Rs60 billion land value was taken as an advance payment.

He further claimed that had he not intervened in the Rs50 billion theft, the contract would not have been canceled within 72 hours.

“If everything was legal, why was it revoked within three days?” he questioned.

The former minister criticised Port Qasim for issuing rebuttals in newspapers, accusing them of misleading the nation with false narratives.

“Those responsible attempted to cheat the committee,” he stated.

During the session, the secretary for Maritime Affairs suggested that the issue might have been a human error.

However, Senator Dinesh Kumar dismissed this argument, calling it fraud and demanding a privilege motion.

Vawda lashed out at the government team, labelling them incompetent and rejecting the notion that Rs60 billion theft was a mere mistake.

It was also revealed that an additional secretary, who feigned ignorance during the meeting, was actually involved in the deal, as confirmed by official documents.

Vawda vowed to expose further details and turn the matter profitable soon.

“The additional secretary was part of the board. I will remind him of more facts and ensure that this project generates profit within days,” he declared.

Chairman Port Qasim informed the committee that the board had called SMIPL and that the case dated back to 2006 when tenders were initially floated. He noted that three companies participated, but two withdrew, leaving only one in the bid.

The secretary for Maritime Affairs admitted that the case had remained unheard for 13 years.

Vawda warned against defending wrongdoing and questioned why out-of-court settlements were only made in select cases.

Chairman Port Qasim responded, saying he was not defending anyone but simply presenting the facts.

Senator Vawda further criticised the board for treating a local defaulting company as a foreign entity and approving a deal that handed over Rs60 billion worth of land for just Rs1 million.

“Not even the military board, a dictator, or a chief justice could make such a deal,” he remarked.

He also questioned why no inquiry was conducted regarding the refinery deal and why the refinery’s data was not presented.

“We had requested records of settlements from 2018 to 2024,” he added.