Karachi: The Governor of Sindh Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi has assured the industrialists of S.I.T.E. area Karachi of his full support and cooperation in resolution of issues being faced by the industrial community. He also appreciated the role of the business community of Karachi for their efforts to keep the wheels of industry running and for the wonderful philanthropic work being done by them.
Nehal Hashmi was addressing members of S.I.T.E. Association of Industry on the occasion of his visit. He was accompanied by high officials of Governor House.
Governor Sindh paid tribute to the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for his industry-led growth of Pakistan. He said that S.I.T.E. Karachi, being the old industrial zone, is the industrial brand ambassador of Pakistan, which introduced Pakistan to the rest of the world. He further said that during the 70s, Pakistan provided loans to Germany which speaks highly of the strong economy our country had at that time.
Nehal Hashmi added that Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, being from an industrialist family, believed in prosperity through industries and he took a number of steps during his premiership to promote industrialization in the country. The current government of Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is following in the steps of Mian Nawaz Sharif's government during 90s. He advised the business community to make new products and export more. He in particular, invited the Association to oversee the development works of S.I.T.E. area, currently under progress.
The Governor Sindh, while responding to the issues raised, said that the resolution of industry issues is our top priority. He suggested fixing Gates on main entry / exit points of the area. He announced to resume monthly coordination meetings at the Governor House with industry representatives and also assured to convene a meeting at the Governor House with officials of Pakistan Railways to sort out the matter of crossing of water lines under the railways track in S.I.T.E. area.
Earlier, S.I.T.E. President Abdul Rehman Fudda, in his welcome address, thanked the honorable Governor Sindh for sparing time to visit the Association for interaction with industry representatives. He presented a brief introduction of S.I.T.E. area and highlighted its contribution in the national economy and exports. He also briefed the Governor Sindh on the issues facing the industry which included shortage of gas, load shedding and high power tariff and high cost of production.
Abdul Rehman Fudda further said that the Association has proposed to reform management of S.I.T.E. Limited, by establishing S.I.T.E. Development and Management Company, at the pattern of Korangi, Landhi, Federal B area and North Karachi Industrial Area, and handover ownership to actual stakeholders as discussed multiple times. He also demanded due share for Karachi in resources.
Patron-in-Chief Zubair Motiwala speaking on this occasion, said that the priority of the Government should be to provide an atmosphere free of obstacles to industries. In particular, the utilities prices should be kept at regionally competitive levels enabling local industries to make exports. He mentioned that due to industry-friendly policies of the Bangladesh government, their textile exports today stand at US$ 52 billion.
Zubair Motiwala added that line losses and theft of gas in the domestic sector are 47% against only 2% in the industrial sector. Due to discontinuation of gas supply to captive power plants, both SSGCL and SNGPL have virtually become bankrupt. He said that Pakistan's exports to China are much lower despite vast potential exists and suggested the formation of the Pak-China Export Promotion body to work on increasing exports to China.
Patron of the Association Saleem Parekh briefed the Governor Sindh on the on-going PSDP project of S.I.T.E. Limited as well as Grant-in-Aid project of S.I.T.E. Association of Industry. He said that the involvement of S.I.T.E. Association of Industry in the PSDP project is limited to representation in the Committee. Under this project, 28 roads and drains are being constructed in S.I.T.E. area and the project is likely to be completed in the next two months. Internal streets and roads of S.I.T.E. area are our priority which were in very bad condition. The new project of PKR 2 billion Grant-in-Aid has also started of which; the executing authority is S.I.T.E. Association of Industry.
Former President Jawed Bilwani appreciated the quick decision taken by the Prime Minister of Pakistan to open the PRAL office in Karachi and also appreciated the sitting of FBR officials in the Karachi office on a regular basis. He requested the Governor Sindh to invite Federal Minister of Energy Awais Ahmed Khan Laghari to a meeting at Governor House to discuss issues related to his Ministry.
The meeting was attended by Executive Committee and senior members of the Association, prominent amongst them were Vice President Muhammad Tahir Goreja, Younus Bashir, Majyd Aziz, Asad Nisar, Ahmed Azeem Alvi, Suleman Chawla, Abdul Hadi, Abdul Rasheed, Muhammad Kamran Arbi, Muhammad Arif Lakhany, Anwer Aziz, Abdul Kadir Bilwani, Khalid Riaz, Muhammad Farhan Ashrafi, Muhammad Riaz Dhedhi, Tarique Rehman, Aman Naseem, Junaid-ur-Rehman, Muhammad Kamran Lakhany, and others.
Senior Vice President Ahmed Zulfiqar Chaudhry proposed a vote of thanks. As a gesture of goodwill, the Association's Crest and bouquet were presented to the Chief Guest.