The Chief Minister of Sind Murad Ali Shah has vowed to release development funds for industrial areas within month while addressing annual diner of Korangi Association of Trade &Industry (KATI). He said that due to some procedural delay the promise wasn’t fulfilled on given time but now the funds would release in given time period. He said that proposal of “Provincial Economic Council” is considerable and I would put it in consultation process with all stakeholders. Petron in Chief of KATI SM Muneer, President Masood Naqi, Sardar Yasin Malik, President FPCCI Zubair Tufail , Senior Vice President Ghazanfar Ali Khan and Vice President of KATI Umer Rehan also addressed the occasion. CM Sindh said that issues regarding distribution of funds with Federation are not been resolved yet, if federal government wants to launch projects in Karachi we will welcome it. He said that federal government committed to bear half of K-4 Project expenses but when cost of the project increased due to flawed design, they took back step to pay additional cost. He told that Funds for S4 would be soon acquired by World Bank.
Prior to this Petron in Chief of KATI S M Muneer said that Karachi has become filthier city, Sewerage and traffic are now become core problems of the city and getting worst day by day. He said that Murad Ali Shah has given a direction to provincial government and took some very timely decision after holding his office, now we hope that he will play his role to revitalize economic conditions of Sindh and particularly Karachi.
President KATI Masood Naqi said that as many councils have been formed on federal and provincial level, there should be a provincial economic council for Sindh to address economic issues of the province and all key stakeholders should be including in this suggested body. He was of view that this council would have play its role to give a right direction in economic policies of province and a platform to resolve conflicts regarding taxation and other policies. He also said that Sindh government should give more space to local government of Karachi in terms of legal powers and fund allocation.
Sardar Yasin Malik told that most of industries have been turned into warehouses in SITE, the oldest industrial zone of the city. He said that now Korangi Industrial Area is the largest zone, collective efforts are needed to ensure its survival.
President of FPCCI Zubair Tufail said that unfortunately most of vows made by federal governments were not fulfilled and now exports are declined drastically. He said that we asked more than hundred times for the refunds of traders and exporters but this hue and cry gone unheard. He shows hope that after completion of power project and CPEC economic condition would become better.
On this occasion CM Sindh told the gathering that Sind Government has allocated Rs 8bn to local bodies last year but most of the schemes were not even started. He said that Mayor Karachi should at least function the powers whatever he has. Murad said that I am very much ready to work with Waseem Akhtar and together we canleave behind political interests to make this city and province prosperous. In this ceremony Petron in Chief of KATI also announced the name of newly elected office bearers of KATI, as Tariq Malik as president , Salman Ahmed Senior Vice President and Junaid Naqi as Vice President will hold their offices for next tenure. Provincial ministers Sohail Anwer Siyal, MPA Saeed Ghani, Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhter, Javed Akhai, Zubair Chhaya, Ghazanfar Ali Khan, Umer Rehan, Tariq Malik, Farrukh Mazhar, Rashid Siddiqui, Mirza Ikhtiyar Baig, Khalid Tawab, Farhan-ur-Rehman, Navaid Bukhari, prominent business leaders and representatives of trade and business bodies were also present on the occasion.
Photo Caption: Patron-in-Chief KATi S M Muneer and President Masood Naqi presenting KATI shield to Chief Minister of Sind Murad Ali Shah. At the occasion Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhter, President FPCCI, Zubair Tufaiil, Zubair Chhaya, Mirza Ikhtiyar Baig, Khalid Tawab, Navaid Bukhari, Ghazanfar Ali Khan and Umer Rehan also present.