Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to accelerating industrial growth, strengthening infrastructure and creating a business-friendly environment.
“Strategic connectivity projects, improved law and order, and sustained public investment were laying the foundation for increased investment, employment generation and economic expansion across the province,” the CM Shah remarked while addressing a ceremony in honour of Dr Abdul Bari Khan, founder of the Indus Hospital Network, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the healthcare sector.
The Sindh Minister Saeed Ghani, Government Spokesperson Nadir Gabol, Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho, industrialists, business leaders, senior officials and other distinguished guests attended the event organised by the Karachi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI).
Describing industrial development as a top priority, the CM Murad Ali Shah welcomed engagements with the business community and its constructive role in advising the government on development initiatives in industrial zones.
He reiterated his objective of creating an enabling environment where industries can grow, investments can flourish, and employment opportunities can expand, highlighting major infrastructure projects. “The linkage of the Shaheed Bhutto Expressway with Karachi Port will prove to be a game changer for trade and industry.
Direct connectivity to the port will reduce transportation costs, improve travel efficiency and facilitate industrial and commercial activities across the city,” he said.
The provincial government would continue to invest in infrastructure improvements across all industrial zones despite fiscal constraints at the same pace with allocation of funds, he assured, adding that maintaining peace and stability was essential for economic activity and investor confidence and the government responded swiftly to security concerns raised by industrialists.
Paying tribute to Dr Abdul Bari Khan for his lifelong commitment to humanitarian service and healthcare, Murad Ali Shah said that his contributions to public health are extraordinary as through the Indus Hospital Network he has transformed countless lives by providing quality healthcare services.
Murad Ali Shah recalled his first interaction with Dr Abdul Bari Khan who invited him to visit the Indus Hospital. “After witnessing the remarkable work being done there, we initiated a partnership that has since grown into one of the most successful public-private collaborations in the health sector,” he said.
We are working with sincerity and commitment alongside our development and healthcare partners, he said, adding that the positive outcomes of public-private collaboration are now reaching millions of people as IHN services extend beyond Karachi, in districts such as Badin and other underserved areas.
Speaking on the occasion, KATI President Muhammad Ikram Rajput thanked the Chief Minister for his continued support to the industrial sector and acknowledged the provincial government’s role in improving infrastructure in industrial areas.
He appreciated the construction of the Shaheed Bhutto Expressway, Korangi flyovers and the allocation of a special grant of Rs2 billion for development projects in industrial zones.
Former KATI President Zubair Chhaya commended Dr Abdul Bari Khan for his selfless service to humanity. He praised the Sindh Government’s contributions to healthcare, stating that partnerships with institutions such as Gambat Institute, NICVD, Jinnah Hospital, NICH and Indus Hospital had transformed healthcare delivery in the province.
Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Dr Abdul Bari Khan thanked KATI and the Sindh Government for their continued support. He informed that government support for the institution had increased from Rs300 million to Rs8 billion, allowing the network to broaden its healthcare footprint and improve access to quality medical services for millions of people. He noted that the Indus Hospital Network now provides healthcare services not only in Sindh but also in Punjab and Balochistan.
The ceremony concluded with participants paying tribute to Dr Abdul Bari Khan’s outstanding services to healthcare and reaffirming the importance of collaboration between government, industry and social sector institutions in advancing public welfare and development across Sindh.