In a press statement, Ahmed Azeem Alvi, President of the SITE Association of Industry, said that no water has been provided to industries in the SITE area of Karachi for the past four days, which has brought industrial production to a halt. As a result, the workers are idle, and export orders are delayed. He said that factories have been closed for the last four days, and industrialists have no option but to close down industries and lay off the workers.

Referring to the ongoing strike of sub-soil water suppliers due to KWSC’s operation, Mr Alvi said that to run industries, we need water at our doorstep, and the concerned department, KWSC, should ensure it. We are not worried about KWSC and sub-soil water supplier disputes, which they should resolve amicably without disturbing the water supply to SITE industries.

Mr. Alvi said that we fear not only the cancellation of export orders secured at Heimtextil but also massive layoffs due to our inability to continue production due to the unavailability of a basic and primary industrial necessity.

At a time when Karachi’s industrial sector is already teetering on the edge due to the rising cost of production compared to the rest of the country, the apathy and high-handed behaviour of all parties concerned in this matter are certain to deal a lethal blow to our already fragile confidence.

SITE President has demanded all concerned authorities, including but not limited to Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab, MD KWSC, MD SITE Ltd, relevant Law Enforcement Agencies, etc., to resolve our issues. Or inform us if they cannot do so so we can explore our options for shifting our businesses elsewhere.