KARACHI: Acknowledging President Karachi Chamber’s suggestion, Governor Sindh Imran Ismail announced formation of Governor-Karachi Chamber Liaison Committee with immediate effect which would address the issues being faced by the business & industrial community of Karachi.
Speaking at a meeting during his visit to Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Imran Ismail said, “The Terms of Reference (TORs) for this Committee will be finalized in consultation with Karachi Chamber in which Presidents of all other trade bodies will also be given representation and it will personally be headed by myself. I assure you that I will present all the messages of Karachi’s business community to the President, Prime Minister and Federal Finance Minister.”
Chairman Businessmen Group & Former President KCCI Siraj Kassam Teli, Vice Chairmen BMG Tahir Khaliq and Anjum Nisar, President KCCI Junaid Esmail Makda, Senior Vice President Khurram Shahzad, Vice President Asif Sheikh Javaid, Former Presidents KCCI Javaid Sultan Japanwala, AQ Khalil, Majyd Aziz and Shamim Ahmed Firpo, Chairman Special Committee for Small Traders Abdul Majeed Memon and KCCI Managing Committee members were also present at the meeting.
Governor Sindh Imran Ismail further stated that the government has completed planning for revival of Karachi Circular Railway project and work in this project would start soon. “Besides KCR project, a local train service, which was providing travelling facility via train from Cantt Station to Landhi Station in the past, will also be immediately restored”, he added.
To deal with fire tragedies in Karachi, he informed that a tender for acquisition of fire-tenders has already been floated which would close in next 10 days whereas the required funds have been allocated as it was really essential for Karachi to have sufficient fire-tenders. “Out of these fire tenders, a fire tender shall be dedicated to KCCI and also to Site Association so that these could promptly respond to any fire breaking out in any nearby building near Offices of both trade bodies.
While referring to Northern Bypass, Governor Sindh informed that this important project was being expanded from single lane to six lanes while Lyari Bypass was also being reinforced so that it becomes capable enough to handle the huge container traffic coming out of Karachi Port which could easily exit to Super Highway via Lyari Bypass.
He said that the government plans to establish more water treatment plants to cater to the demand of industries in Karachi while a desalination plant was also being established at Karachi Port. “We are trying to introduce reforms in Sindh Police with a view to improve policing”, he added.
Referring to numerous complaints pertaining to harassment by FIA, Imran Ismail said, “We absolutely have no such policy to allow FIA to open those cases in which individuals have availed the Amnesty Scheme. Any such case of harassment can be forwarded to Governor House and we will stop FIA as the Amnesty Scheme is fully protected by law.”
