Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) Zubair Motiwala has vowed to carry forward and accomplish the mission of Late Siraj Teli who always desired to make Karachi a livable city where all the citizens are employed, law & order remains stable, infrastructure is improved, cleanliness along with proper sewerage system and other civic facilities are available to the masses and prosperity prevails all over the city.
“We in close alliance with everyone will be making all out efforts to restore the lost status of this city which was once known as the city of lights”, he added while speaking at a Condolence Reference organized to pay homage to Late Siraj Kassam Teli who dedicated his entire life for the rights of business community and the Karachiites.
Vice Chairmen BMG Tahir Khaliq, Haroon Farooki, Anjum Nisar, General Secretary BMG AQ Khalil, President KCCI Shariq Vohra, Nusair Siraj Teli (Son of Late Siraj Teli), Patron-in-Chief United Businessmen Group S. M. Muneer, Former SVP KCCI Jawed Bilwani, Former President KCCI Shamim Ahmed Firpo, President Korangi Association of Trade & Industry Saleem uz Zaman, Arif Habib, Tariq Yousuf, Haji Anis, Hanif Motlani, Durre Shahwar Nisar, Mehmood Hamid, Abdul Samad Khan and Javaid Sheikh also paid glowing tribute to Siraj Teli who will always be remembered for his matchless services and lifelong struggle for the rights of Karachi city and its business community.
Zubair Motiwala said, “We will continue Siraj Teli’s quest until all the due rights are given to Karachi which contributes around 68 percent revenue to the national exchequer and 54 percent of Pakistan’s exports take place from this city.”
“We only demand that Karachi must receive its share in proportion to what this city has been contributing to the national exchequer so that these funds could be utilized in developing the dilapidated infrastructure which is almost in existent”, he said, adding that the road infrastructure in Site area, which is the oldest and biggest industrial area, has worsened to such an extent that almost all the roads in this particular area are neither motorable nor jeepable.
Commenting on sad demise of Siraj Teli, Zubair Motiwala said it was the most tragic and saddening incident not only for Karachi city but for entire Pakistan. “Siraj Teli was a person who is neither born in years nor in centuries. I was associated with him since last 28 years and throughout this period, I observed that Siraj Teli was always passionate to serve the humanity and he only took those initiatives which were in favor of Pakistan, Karachi city and the masses”, he added.
Referring to Siraj Teli’s dedicated efforts in dealing with Bolton Market inferno incident in 2009, he said that due to Siraj Teli’s determination and day-night efforts, more than 1900 affectees of Bolton Market and other markets whose shops were burned to ashes received full compensation as per their aspirations. It was the biggest achievement as a total of 29 buildings were reconstructed while compensations ranging from Rs15,000 to Rs150 million were handed over to the affectees.
Expressing satisfaction over complete unity amongst BMGIANs, Chairman BMG said, “You will not find a single example all over Pakistan where any political party or any other group has remained intact and fully united for a period of 23 years except BMG whose Chairman and all Vice Chairmen remained the same since it came to existence and no divide or break up was seen at any point in time throughout all these years.”
He reiterated that Siraj Teli was a person who cannot be forgotten as he struggled really hard throughout his life for the welfare of poor masses and the business community and fearlessly raised voice so that the authorities could be compelled to not only deal with economic issues but also many other social issues being suffered by the public.
In the end, Zubair Motiwala prayed that may Almighty Allah place the departed soul in Jannat ul Firdous and grant courage to the members of bereaved family and all BMGIANs to bear this irreparable loss.
President KCCI M. Shariq Vohra, in his remarks, said, “Siraj Teli will stay alive in our hearts and will always be remembered for his exceptional and dedicated services to the entire business & industrial community and Karachiites under the policy of Public Service. He was a dynamic leader whose illustrious career spanning over 28 years has indeed left an indelible impression on the entire business & industrial community.