Karachi Port Trust celebrates 100 years of Karachi Port Trust Head Office Building in great fervour

Karachi, January 05, 2016 (PPI-OT): It is indeed a historical moment for Karachi Port Trust and Pakistan to celebrate 100 years of a well famed building of Pakistan, the KPT Head Office Building, in great fervour today, highlighted the Minister for Ports and Shipping Senator Kamran Michael while speaking on the occasion as Chief Guest and complemented Chairman KPT Vice Admiral (R) Shafqat Jawed on the occasion which was attended by Director General Ports and Shipping Mr Asad Rafi Chandna, Commander Pak Fleet Vice Admiral Arifullah Hussaini, Commander Karachi Rear Admiral Farrukh Ahmed and Chairman KPT Vice Admiral (R) Shafqat Jawed besides other management officials of the Karachi Port Trust.

The proceedings started with National Anthem which was followed by Guard of Honour from parade gathered on the occasion at KPT Head Office Building. The Minister Kamran Michael laid stress on national heritage assets of the nations and said that these belong to our next generation as well.

He complemented the Chairman KPT Vice Admiral (R) Shafqat Jawed for maintaining it so well and in original shape. He prayed the new year of 2016 to be a very successful year for Pakistan in terms of economic growth and said that progress achieved so far also indicates that the track followed is right. He stressed on increasing exports of the country through sea ports for economic strengthening on the occasion.

Earlier, in his welcome keynote address, the Chairman KPT Vice Admiral (R) Shafqat Jawed highlighted various facets related to the history of KPT Head Office Building and paid tribute to the Scottish Architect George Wittet who designed this grandeur which remains in the hands and maintenance of KPT throughout. The amalgam of rich heritage and adroit work environment has remained the key factor over the years for KPT to realize umpteen development projects, he added.

He complemented the efforts of engineering department for maintaining the grandeur building in its original shape as it was designed and constructed by its Architect Wittet way back in year 1916. He informed the gathering on the occasion that KPT Building was then constructed at cost Rs 974,990/- and the building was also used as 500 bed General Hospital during the first world war for three years from 1916 to 1919. He thanked the Minister for Ports and Shipping Senator Kamran Michael for gracing the celebrated occasion of Karachi Port Trust and gave full credit to his support in realizing mega projects in speedy manner.

Later, the Minister for Ports and Shipping Senator Kamran Michael inaugurated the Archives Gallery of KPT along with the Chairman KPT Vice Admiral (R) Shafqat Jawed where models of crafts, cranes and equipment of KPT flotilla are displayed along with old maps and historical data pertaining to Karachi Port. The proceedings thereafter concluded with the presentation of souvenir to the Chief Guest Minister for Ports and Shipping Senator Kamran Michael by Chairman KPT on this historical occasion.

For more information, contact:
Chairman
Karachi Port Trust (KPT)
KPT Head Office Building,
Eduljee Dinshaw Road,
Karachi-74000 Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-99214358, +92-21-99214542, +92-21-99214530-40
Fax: +92-21-9214329-30
Email: Chairman@kpt.gov.pk