The 14-storey cruise ship that entered Pakistani waters last week will be dismantled at the Gadani ship-breaking yard, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Maritime Affairs Mahmood Moulvi declared on Tuesday.
He rejected social media reports that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs had given or denied the cruise liner’s owner permission to use the ship as a ferry service or hotel.
“This ship was purchased for scrap,” the SAPM clarified, adding that the 1200-room cruise liner of Italian-make was purchased for Rs2 billion and brought to Pakistan to be dismantled and sold as junk.
He said the contract under which the ship was bought clearly states that it would be scrapped, ruling out its use for a hotel or cruise.
