KARACHI, Jan 27: The People’s Ittehad Seaman Union (PISU) has taken strong exception of non-representation of professionals from merchant navy on the task force on maritime industry.

In a letter addressed to President Asif Ali Zardari, the PISU was critical about the members’ qualification and professional acumen needed to justify their role in such an important task force on maritime industry.

The union drew the attention of the president that PISU was a representative body of seamen and felt that maritime sector had always been ignored.

It further stated that Lyari in particular and Karachi in general is home of 80 per cent seafarers, therefore, it should be given proper representation in such bodies.

The PISU raised objection over the appointment of a retired naval officer as head of the task force on maritime.

It stated that the officer may know much about navy but one should not accept that his knowledge in merchant navy would be equally good. Similarly, most of the members of the task force also belong to navy which further dampens the hope of getting good results in the larger interest of the country and maritime industry in particularly, the union added.

The seamen body also expressed its displeasure over top positions still being held by naval officers such as PNSC chairman and its directors, Director General Ports and Shipping and Gwadar Port. The PISU urged upon the president that being democratically elected government all such posts should be filled by civilians belonging from commercial maritime organisations.