KARACHI: No progress has so far been made on Khairpur Special Economic Zone (SEZ) which is Pakistan’s first industrial park with SEZ status under SEZ Act, 2012 and full face of the project has yet to be materialised.
The Sindh government initiated the development of an industrial zone dedicated to the agro industry, which would have world class features, amenities comparable with any industrial zone in the international arena.
Sindh Board of Investment has also been indifference on this issue. Park has been planned in Khairpur district as a future hub for agro-processing and other related industries on a location strategically positioned for proximity to date growing areas, transportation links and access to labour.
Steering Committee on KSEZ project had claimed that this project being established to strengthen the agro economy would be supplemented by a dedicated energy captive power plant which would ensure an uninterrupted power supply to all the enterprises with in the Zone.
Officials of National Industrial Parks (NIP) were of the opinion that organisation engaged as the Project Management Unit to execute the project has been trying best to complete the project. NIP is fully committed for speedy and quality materialisation of all the work being carried out at the site.
A member of Steering Committee said KSEZ project would provide job opportunities and improve lively hood of local inhabitants.
The progress on Captive Power Plant has been stopped due to an observation raised by the SPPRA.
The Authority is working closely with KSEZ for grant of SEZ Status to this Zone as it will guarantee the investors to receive a 10 years tax holiday and one time tax exemption on all capital goods/machinery.
The project has been proposed to be established under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The consultation with provinces on the proposed location had also been completed and discussed in the consultative framework of CPEC.
The government is providing many facilities to foreign investors of China for industrial zones but it is not ready to provide such facilities to local investors. “Why is the government providing many facilities to the Chinese investors while the local industries are being deprived”.
Sui Southern Gas Company was not entertaining any request for provision of gas to new consumers-both in urban and rural areas of Sindh.
SSGC had even declined supply of gas to the SEZ and similarly, it has also refused to supply gas to nine small industrial estates in different parts of Sindh province for which the government of Sindh has already paid to SSGC.
On natural gas issue, Council of Common Interests on Dec 16, 2016, had constituted a committee headed by the federal law minister to interpret constitutional provisions, including Article 158.
A meeting on March 3, 2017 decided to submit policy for consideration of the CCI to implement the Article 158.
Published in Daily Times, June 21st, 2017.