Sindh Minister for Industries & Commerce Jam Ikramullah Khan Dharejo has announced an urgent delegation to Islamabad next week. The purpose is to expedite the release of funds under PSDP schemes for the SITE area, which has been pending for two years. This delay has significantly impacted the area’s development, including the construction of 49 roads.
He spoke as Chief Guest during his visit to the SITE Association of Industry. Secretary Industries Sindh Muhammad Yaseen Shar Baloch and Managing Director SITE Limited Ghazanfar Ali Qadri accompanied him.
He assured me that he would look into setting up a SITE Development & Management Company based on the pattern of DMCs working in other industrial areas of Karachi. His commitment to cooperate fully to resolve other industry issues is a hopeful sign. He announced that he would take strict action against those involved in setting up encroachments in the SITE area and directed the MD, SITE Limited, present on the occasion, to take action against them. The Minister also asked Secretary Industries Sindh to report progress on the projects submitted for funding from the Infrastructure Development Cess.
Mr Dharejo’s proactive approach to addressing the pressing issues of water shortage and sub-soil licenses is a reassuring sign of progress. He has announced a meeting of the Committee in the next couple of days, where these matters will be discussed. Mayor Karachi will also be invited to this meeting, highlighting the Minister’s collaborative approach to problem-solving.
The Minister directed the MD of SITE Limited to complete the work on e-services within one week and report progress. He agreed to Zubair Motiwala’s suggestion that SITE Limited repair leakages from an escrow account. He also announced a meeting with the Police Chief next week to discuss law and order-related issues in the SITE area.
Earlier, SITE President Muhammad Kamran Arbi welcomed the Minister to the Association and thanked him for visiting regularly. In his brief speech, he highlighted major issues facing the industry, which in particular included the formation of SITE-DMC, PSDP Scheme for the construction of Roads in the SITE area, MOA between SITE Limited and SSWMB, Water supply to Industries and Water Recycling Plant for the SITE area at TP-1 etc. He, in particular, mentioned that roads in some areas are in the worst condition, like at the Naurus roundabout, near the Post Office, at Habib Chowrangi and the road on the backside of 63-Wing, etc. Some schemes of the SITE area are also pending under the Infrastructure Development Cess, costing PKR 2 billion.
Patron-in-Chief Zubair Motiwala said that, unfortunately, the decisions of the Board of Directors of SITE Limited have not been implemented. Only decisions of choice are implemented. The setting up the Combined Effluent Treatment Plant will resolve the issues of water non-availability and compliance issues for exporting industries. Against the quota of 8 MGD water for many years, the SITE area is still getting only 1 MGD water. He mentioned that the share of the textile sector in the country’s overall exports is declining, which shows that industries are closing down. Zubair Motiwala stressed the need to introduce a Gated Community system for SITE areas like Sundar Industrial Estate in Punjab, to which the Minster asked him to give him a plan first. Motiwala expressed concerns over the kidnapping of industrialists and said that it has greatly shaken the confidence of business people, who now feel more insecure than before.
Chief Coordinator Saleem Parekh requested the Minister to sort out the issuance of licenses to sub-soil operators, playing a lead role in the matter, to which the Minister agreed. He added that as part of a one-window operation, the Industries Department should be the first door to knock for the resolution of every issue faced by the industry. He clarified that SITE industries need water but do not support water theft and requested the Minister to announce an extension in the tenure of MD, SITE Limited, who is performing better than his predecessors.
He mentioned that SITE Limited has no funds for road maintenance or equipment to carry out patchwork, and the Minister assured him that he would look into these matters.
Abdul Hadi, Chairman of the Association’s Law & Order subcommittee, said that the next generation is not ready to run factories due to law and order. So-called labour leaders are active in SITE and blackmail the factory owner. He stressed the need to call a meeting with the IG Police to discuss and redress these issues.
Prominent among those who attended the meeting were M/s. Junaid Makda, Majyd Aziz, Abdul Rasheed, Saleem Nagaria, Riaz Uddin, Muhammad Riaz Dhedhi, Muhammad Hussain Moosani, SVP KCCI Abdul Ghaffar and others.
