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Express Tribune
20 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt presses China on Gwadar plan
Listen to article Pakistan has urged Chinese operators of Gwadar Port and its free zone to fulfil their contractual obligations by submitting a time-bound business plan for industrialisation, aiming to make the jewel of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) fully operational. The issue of delays in fulfilling the Concession Agreement commitments by China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC) was raised during a meeting of the CPEC joint working group on Gwadar. The session took place more than a month before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's scheduled visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. According to government sources, Chinese officials were informed that Pakistan was still awaiting a comprehensive business plan for the Gwadar Free Zone. Islamabad asked for the investment schedule, performance indicators, and operational forecasts to guide industrialisation. Pakistan stressed the urgency of finalising the design, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of the north free zone. They called for a clear, time-bound implementation strategy to transform Gwadar into a competitive transshipment hub and regional transit gateway, said the Ministry of Planning authorities. In August 2021, The Express Tribune reported that the Cabinet Committee on CPEC had found the Chinese marketing plan for Gwadar Port unsatisfactory. The matter has remained unresolved, although other projects, such as the international airport, allied services, and the first phase of the Eastbay Expressway, have progressed. Pakistan urged COPHC to fully utilise the port by developing a ship-refuelling facility, LPG terminal, and ship-to-ship refuelling operations. Officials noted that Gwadar Port and its free zone remain underperforming due to multiple issues. They called for an investment and marketing plan with clear timelines and roadshows to attract strategic Chinese investors and industries, added sources. Chinese representatives countered that the port needs more resources for sustainable operations. They proposed increasing shipping routes, policy support, and transit trade, and diverting part of Karachi Port's cargo to Gwadar. Pakistan has already implemented supporting policies to operationalise the port, yet COPHC has not prioritised the north free zone's development and industrialisation. During the meeting, Gwadar Port authorities pushed for expedited construction of roads, water, and power infrastructure in the north free zone. To make the port economically viable, Pakistan has withdrawn the bank guarantee requirement for Afghan transit cargo. It has also granted exemptions from the Export Policy Order to prospective Chinese investors, allowing the export of potassium sulphate. According to the new regulation notified by the Ministry of Commerce, two Chinese companies, Agven Private Limited and Hangeng Trade Company Private Limited, have been allowed to export the fertiliser. Authorities believe that building the breakwater and dredging berthing areas will require significant funds. These investments would not be viable without first expediting transshipment operations, cargo throughput, and business activity. Some progress has been made elsewhere. Feasibility studies for the Gwadar Railway link and the second phase of the Eastbay Expressway, a 13.5km project, were completed in December last year. The completion of the second phase of this project will improve connectivity between the port and Gwadar International Airport. Pakistan has proposed signing the framework agreement for this phase either during the prime minister's visit or at the 14th Joint Cooperation Committee meeting. Negotiations with China are planned to secure grants for the Eastbay Expressway project. Islamabad also urged Beijing to meet remaining development responsibilities under the concession agreement. These include building the internal infrastructure of the north free zone, submitting a five-year business plan, and quickly operationalising port-based value-added services. Chinese experts visited Gwadar in July last year to address bottlenecks. They identified poor connectivity, inadequate utilities, and trade barriers as major issues. They acknowledged Pakistan's efforts over the past year to speed up operations, including regulatory approvals, support for transshipment, and tax exemptions. Chinese officials acknowledged Pakistan's measures over the past year to accelerate the operationalisation of Gwadar Port and the free zone, including regulatory approvals, support for transshipment, and tax exemptions, the sources said. Pakistan has committed to routing 60% of all public sector cargo through Gwadar. It has facilitated Afghan transit trade, allowed up to 50% of export proceeds to be used in foreign currency, and withdrawn the minimum turnover tax. However, China has asked Pakistan to further increase the public sector cargo share beyond the agreed 60%, said sources. Officials reported that electricity and water supply infrastructure is now complete for both the north and south free zones. These zones are connected to the national grid via the Gwadar grid. A desalination plant producing 1.2 million gallons per day is fully operational, with two dedicated water supply lines laid to the north free zone's doorstep.
Mint
23-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Bombay HC allows Mumbai airport to terminate Turkish ground operator Celebi's contract
The Bombay High Court has on July 23 in effect allowed Mumbai International Airport (MIAL) to terminate services of Turkish ground-handling company Celebi and The Bombay High Court on Wednesday set aside its earlier interim order restraining the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) from finalising tenders for ground and bridge handling services post termination of Turkish firm Celebi's contract. A bench of Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan said the interim protection granted in May cannot be continued as the Delhi HC earlier this month dismissed Celebi's petition against similar contract termination of the Delhi airport and revocation of security clearance. 'It is now clear that holding up the decision of finding a replacement is not possible and tenable. Continuation of the ad-interim order is no longer reasonable and hence stands vacated,' the court said. It added that post revocation of security clearance, all employees and equipment of the petitioner firm have been placed under the control of another company, Indo Thai Airport Services Ltd, which is now carrying out the ground handling and bridge mounting services at the Mumbai airport. 'The petitioner firm has lost all physical access to the airport,' the court said. The HC said that as per the contract agreement, conciliation efforts are underway between the parties concerned and disposed of the petitions filed by Celebi. Amid the backlash in India over Turkiye's support to Pakistan during 'Operation Sindoor', India's aviation security regulator BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security) had revoked the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services India on grounds related to national security. The company had moved the high court against the revocation of its security clearance and subsequent termination of its contract with MIAL. The firm's petition challenging revocation of security clearance is pending before a division bench of the Bombay HC and is likely to be taken up for hearing on Thursday. Celebi holds 59 per cent stake in Celebi Nas Airport Services India Private Limited. The petition sought suspension and annulment of the administrative decision of security clearance cancellation granted by BCAS under the Ministry of Civil Aviation of India. It also sought annulment of terminations of the Bridge Mounted Equipment Service Agreement and the Concession Agreement, and Ground Handling Services by MIAL. By way of interim relief, Celebi had sought HC to restrain MIAL from taking any final decision on the tenders issued on May 17 for the selection of a new ground handling agency for these services. On May 26, a vacation bench had passed an interim order restraining MIAL from taking its final decision on the tenders. The Delhi HC, while dismissing Celebi's plea against the security clearance revocation, noted that there were 'compelling national security considerations involved', which 'impelled' the Centre to revoke the clearance, with 'impelling geo-political considerations' at play.
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
MIAL gets HC relief over replacement for Turkish firm Celebi for ground services at Mumbai airport
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday set aside its earlier interim order restraining the Mumbai International Airport Limited ( MIAL ) from finalising tenders for ground and bridge handling services post termination of Turkish firm Celebi 's contract. A bench of Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan said the interim protection granted in May cannot be continued as the Delhi HC earlier this month dismissed Celebi's petition against similar contract termination of the Delhi airport and revocation of security clearance. "It is now clear that holding up the decision of finding a replacement is not possible and tenable. Continuation of the ad-interim order is no longer reasonable and hence stands vacated," the court said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 21st Century Skills Start with Confident Communication Planet Spark Learn More Undo It added that post revocation of security clearance, all employees and equipment of the petitioner firm have been placed under the control of another company, Indo Thai Airport Services Ltd, which is now carrying out the ground handling and bridge mounting services at the Mumbai airport . "The petitioner firm has lost all physical access to the airport," the court said. Live Events The HC said that as per the contract agreement, conciliation efforts are underway between the parties concerned and disposed of the petitions filed by Celebi. Amid the backlash in India over Turkiye's support to Pakistan during 'Operation Sindoor', India's aviation security regulator BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security) had revoked the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services India on grounds related to national security. The company had moved the high court against the revocation of its security clearance and subsequent termination of its contract with MIAL. The firm's petition challenging revocation of security clearance is pending before a division bench of the Bombay HC and is likely to be taken up for hearing on Thursday. Celebi holds 59 per cent stake in Celebi Nas Airport Services India Private Limited. The petition sought suspension and annulment of the administrative decision of security clearance cancellation granted by BCAS under the Ministry of Civil Aviation of India. It also sought annulment of terminations of the Bridge Mounted Equipment Service Agreement and the Concession Agreement, and Ground Handling Services by MIAL. By way of interim relief, Celebi had sought HC to restrain MIAL from taking any final decision on the tenders issued on May 17 for the selection of a new ground handling agency for these services. On May 26, a vacation bench had passed an interim order restraining MIAL from taking its final decision on the tenders. The Delhi HC, while dismissing Celebi's plea against the security clearance revocation, noted that there were "compelling national security considerations involved", which "impelled" the Centre to revoke the clearance, with "impelling geo-political considerations" at play.
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
SC stays Bombay HC order asking MMRDA to deposit full ₹1,169 crore arbitral award to Ambani's metro JV
Advt Advt By , ET Bureau The Supreme Court has stayed a Bombay High Court order directing the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority ( MMRDA ) to deposit the entire arbitral award of ₹1,169 crore won by Mumbai Metro One Private Ltd (MMOPL), a subsidiary of Anil Ambani 's Reliance Infrastructure, in the apex court said the HC's direction to deposit the full award amount in favour of MMOPL will remain stayed, subject to MMRDA depositing 50 per cent of the awarded amount in the High Court.A bench led by Justice Manoj Mishra sought a response from MMOPL on MMRDA's appeal against the HC's July 10 order, which refused the latter's request for an unconditional stay on the arbitral top court further clarified that the pendency of the proceedings will not preclude the HC from continuing with the hearing of the application filed by MMRDA under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act , 1996. If the HC finally decides the application in the meantime, this interim order will abide by the HC's General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state entity, argued that the HC's condition to deposit the entire awarded amount at this stage would be unduly harsh. Therefore, it was a fit case to modify the condition imposed by the High Court while granting interim relief to the Ambani in its appeal, submitted that the HC had erred in not granting interim relief, given that the arbitral award was patently illegal and perverse, beyond the scope of the arbitration agreement, in breach of principles of natural justice, and passed without application of mind or any evidentiary basis.A majority decision of the three-member arbitral tribunal in 2023 awarded ₹992 crore plus interest to MMOPL, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) between Reliance Infrastructure (74 per cent stake) and MMRDA (26 per cent stake). The award was passed in 2023 and corrected in 2024. The JV operates Mumbai's first metro line on the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Maharashtra government had in June 2006 awarded the Metro One Project to the consortium of Reliance Infrastructure and Veolia Transport SA (now Transdev Ile-de-France).Multiple disputes arose between the parties over development, design, engineering, financing, procurement, construction, operation, and maintenance of the mass rapid transit system, as well as delays in project completion. The metro rail project was delayed by over two years. MMOPL claimed project costs increased from ₹2,356 crore to ₹4,321 crore, which MMRDA the Ambani firm invoked the arbitration clause under the Concession Agreement.
Mint
26-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Celebi Row: Bombay HC halts Mumbai airport's final call on ground services bids till June
The Bombay High Court on Monday, May 26, temporarily restrained Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) from finalising tenders for ground and bridge handling services. The court ruled that the temporary halt will continue until Turkish firm Celebi's plea challenging the termination of its contract is heard when the court reopens in June. This interim order was issued by a vacation bench of Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan. The court order bars MIAL from taking any final decision on tenders floated on May 17 for a new ground handling agency. The revocation of security clearance of Celebi came amid backlash in India over Turkey's support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. The company had moved the High Court last week against revocation of its security clearance and subsequent termination of its contract with MIAL. Celebi's plea was mentioned before Justice Sundaresan seeking urgent relief against any decision on the tenders issued by MIAL on May 17. The court said no final decision shall be taken on the tenders till the pleas filed by Celebi are heard post reopening of the court in June. Turkiye-based airport ground handling services major Celebi's subsidiary had moved HC last week against revocation of its security clearance and subsequent termination of its contract with MIAL. Three petitions were filed by Celebi Nas Airport Services India, which operated at the Mumbai airport, challenging the Centre's decision to revoke the security clearance and contract termination. The pleas said the decisions were arbitrary and illegal and sought that they be set aside. Celebi holds 59 per cent capital of Celebi Nas Airport Services India Private Limited. The petition sought suspension and annulment of the administrative decision of security clearance cancellation granted by Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) under Ministry of Civil Aviation of India. It also sought annulment of terminations of Bridge Mounted Equipment Service Agreement and the Concession Agreement, and Ground Handling Services by MIAL. By way of interim relief, Celebi had sought HC to restrain MIAL from taking any final decision on the tenders issued on May 17 for the selection of a new ground handling agency for these services. Two other Celebi subsidiaries, namely Celebi Airport Services India and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India, had earlier this month moved the Delhi High Court against the security clearance revocation and cancellation of contracts by the Delhi airport operator.
