Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi says Pakistan has a business-friendly central government that has achieved goodwill around the world, and it is their first priority to resolve the issues related to commerce and industry. During his visit to the SITE Association of Trade and Industry, Governor Hashmi assured the industrialists of the SITE area, Karachi of his full support and cooperation in the resolution of issues being faced by the industrial community.
He paid tribute to the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for his industry-led growth of Pakistan. He said Pakistan’s economy was booming in the 60s, the country was issuing loans to Germany, and was soon going to become an Asian Tiger. However, the 1972 nationalization brought darkness on a sunny day. Nevertheless, in 1990, he expressed, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif came with an economic vision to promote industrialization in Pakistan, and the current government is following in his footsteps.
The Governor advised the business community to make new products and export more. He, in particular, invited the Association to oversee the development works of the SITE area, currently under progress. He announced to resume monthly coordination meetings at the Governor’s House with industry representatives.
Earlier, SITE President Abdul Rehman Fudda, in his welcome address, presented a brief introduction to the SITE area and highlighted its contribution to the national economy and exports. He also briefed the Governor on the issues facing the industry, which included shortages of gas, load-shedding and high power tariffs and high cost of production.
Fudda further said that the Association has proposed reforming management of SITE Limited, by establishing SITE Development & Management Company, in the pattern of Korangi, Landhi, Federal B area and North Karachi Industrial Area, and handover ownership to current stakeholders as discussed multiple times. He also demanded a due share of 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. He added that line losses and theft of gas in the domestic sector are 47% against only 2% in the industrial sector. Due to the discontinuation of gas supply to captive power plants, both SSGCL and SNGPL have virtually become bankrupt.
Patron of the Association, Saleem Parekh, briefed the Governor Sindh on the ongoing PSDP project of SITE Limited as well as the Grant-in-Aid project of SITE Association of Industry. While, 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.