By AMANULLAH BASHAR
Oct 25 - 31, 1999
Sheikh Javaid, is a prominent figure among Pakistan's business
community. Being a true Pakistani, Sheikh Javaid is working selflessly for over two
decades for the cause of national economy. Currently he is the Chief Executive of an
active Off-Shore Trading House in Karachi Export Processing Zone. He is also the Chairman
of KEPZs Investors' Council. He carries various distinctions to his credit including
Director of M/s. North Star Insurance Co Ltd, Member Port Council of Karachi Port Trust
(KPT). Served as the Chairman of Pak-Zimbabwe Trade and Industry Committee of FPCCI,
member Anti-Pilferage Sub-Committee of KCCI & KPT. Elected as the Chairman of Pakistan
Shippers' Council-FPCCI in 1985 and worked in that position for 4 years. He conducted the
historical Rescue Operation jointly with FPCCI and Port & Shipping Wing of Ministry of
Communications through PNSC in respect of Pakistani cargo stranded at Dubai and Sharjah.
He personally visited UAE and succeeded in resolving the problem amicably. He also played
a vital role in another Rescue Operation for Pakistan & Indian stranded goods on board
the arrested vessel at Jibouti-Africa. Again he visited Africa and UK and resolved the
issue to the satisfaction of Pakistani and Indian counterparts. He also led Pakistan
delegation to participate in a sub-regional Seminar jointly organized by UN-ESCAP and
Freight Forwarders Association held in Mumbai, India. He has the credit to serve Pakistan
business community as Chairman, Association of Shippers Councils of Bangladesh, India,
Pakistan & Sri Lanka.
PAGE: What are those achievements giving you a sense of
satisfaction ?
Sheikh Javaid : " During my tenure as the
Chairman of Pakistan Shippers Council of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce
and Industry (FPCCI) I put tremendous amount of efforts to educate the small shippers
about their rights and privileges. Generally speaking a common shipper is deprived of his
rights and privileges by the exploiters". Javaid feels that he has rendered a service
not only to the shippers but to the national economy by imparting education among the
ignorant.
He also provided a forum for dissemination of knowledge and information
by arranging seminars, workshops and lectures and Film shows on Shipping and Ship-Using.
" I did all this in the interest of the economy. I am a firm believer that knowledge
is power and it should not be confined among a chosen few," he remarked.
PAGE : Track record of your services indicates that
you have done a lot for your fellow businessmen what about development of ports in
Pakistan.
Sheikh Javaid :
Advocating the speedy development of
new ports in Pakistan, Sheikh Javaid said unfortunately, a lot of work has yet to be done
for development of ports in Pakistan. New ports in Balochistan can do a magic to the
economy. God has showered immense blessings upon Pakistan. We have to give them a
direction to translate them to the benefit of the poor of this country. Strategic location
of Gwadar, Pasni and Ormara where nature has provided coast for deep ports, free from the
exposure of monsoon are lying unutilized. These precious locations have the potential to
give a quantum jump to our economy if these spots are turned into operational ports. These
ports accompanied by well developed Export Processing Zones will have multi-dimensional
effects on our socio-economic life. Located in close vicinity to the Gulf States beside
offering a corridor to the Central Asian States, these ports would offer special
attraction to foreign investors. Sheikh Javaid said that development of ports in
Balochistan would not only beneficial for Balochistan alone but will go a long way in
normalizing problems faced by Karachi.
PAGE : How these Balochistan ports can help resolve
Karachi problems ?
Sheikh Javaid : Being a Pakistani, Sheikh Javaid said,
he loves to frequently visit beautiful spots in Pakistan. He said that the natural beauty
of these areas is so fascinating that whenever he finds time he rush to Gwadar or Pasni.
Surrounded by blue waters Gwadar is such a beautiful place which spell bounds the
visitors. No one can stop the most modern city from development at Gwadar once a port of
international standards is developed at that spot. This port of city would be a gift to
the business community as well as other citizens living in the suffocation of pollution.
People would love to live in a tension free atmosphere which is a common phenomenon in
Karachi. Everybody has to live in a tense atmosphere due to day to day problems including
power failures, transport problems, law and order situation and high-handedness of the
administration.
Sheikh Javaid also offered his expertise free of cost for immediate
development of export processing zones and deep-sea ports at Ormara and
Gwadar.
