KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Industries Jam Ikramullah Khan Dharejo has vowed full government support for Karachi’s industrial community, acknowledging the role of the private sector in times of crisis and outlining a roadmap for structural and financial reforms across the city’s key industrial zones.
Expressing his gratitude to Patron-in-Chief of S.I.T.E. Association Zubair Motiwala and SAI Patron Saleem Parekh at the Meet & Greet Dinner hosted by S.I.T.E. Association of Industry, the Minister commended the duo for the timely assistance they extended to the Sindh Government in the aftermath of two devastating incidents — the fires that gutted Gul Plaza and other similar incidents like Saddar Cooperative Market, Jubilee market & Bolton Market — which inflicted heavy losses on the trading and business community of the city.
The distinguished guests included Patron-in-Chief of S.I.T.E. Association Zubair Motiwala, SAI Patron Saleem Parekh, Former President of KCCI & SAI Jawed Bilwani, KCCI President Rehan Hanif along with office bearers & senior leaders from KCCI and leaders of FPCCI, patrons & office bearers of different industrial associations, former presidents Tariq Yousuf, Younus Bashir, Majyd Aziz, Nazim F. Haji, Arshad Tanveer, Dr. Arshad Vohra, Engr. M. A. Jabbar, Junaid Makda, Suleman Chawla, Abdul Hadi, Abdul Rasheed, Riaz Uddin, Muhammad Kamran Arbi, and Ahmed Azeem Alvi, COO KWSC Asadullah Khan , MD SSGC Muhammad Amin Rajput, Asmer Naeem, and Nasim Jani Shaikh from K-Electric, Secretary of S.I.T.E. Limited Muhammad Younis Daheri, and Executive Committee members, who graced the occasion with their presence.
The Industries Minister announced that a follow-up meeting would be convened specifically to deliberate on the long-pending proposal for the separation of the Sindh Industrial & Trading Estate (S.I.T.E.), Karachi. The move is being seen as part of a broader effort by the provincial government to introduce administrative and structural reforms in one of the country’s most vital industrial corridors.
On the critical issue of infrastructure development funding, Dharejo stated that the government was keen to bring the private sector on board to the maximum possible extent, rather than depending entirely on provincial allocations. He made clear, however, that fresh funds would only be released to the District Municipal Corporations and concerned trade associations once existing disbursements had been fully utilized within the designated timeframe — a measure, he said, designed to ensure accountability and results-driven spending.
Patron-in-Chief Zubair Motiwala, speaking on this occasion, invited the Govt. of Sindh to join hands with the business community in bringing overall improvement in government working including S.I.T.E. Limited as well as to increase exports and industrial production. He reiterated the demand to separate S.I.T.E. Karachi from the ambit of S.I.T.E. Limited and hand it over to S.I.T.E. Association of Industry to run the department in a professional manner, hiring qualified & professional staff including CEO and other top officials on merit.
He said that S.I.T.E. Limited should pay attention on the issues of other industrial zones which are also suffering from lack of infrastructure and other facilities. He stressed the need to make every effort to keep the wheels of industry running in current difficult times when utilities charges are the highest in the region.
SAI Patron Saleem Parekh, in his brief note, expressed gratitude to the distinguished guests for attending the event at short notice. He highlighted the importance of holding interactive meetings on a regular basis and extended special thanks to the Sindh Minister for Industries for releasing funds to industrial town associations for infrastructure development in their respective zones.
Earlier, the Acting President of the Association Ahmed Zulfiqar Chaudhry welcomed the distinguished guests to the Meet & Greet Dinner and thanked the members for their presence stating that it greatly added to the warmth and spirit of the evening.
SAI VP Tahir Goreja delivered the vote of thanks and concluded the event with the resolve to make the country economically stronger by boosting its exports, earning more foreign exchange, and providing employment to the people.
The house paid tributes to the selfless & devoted services being rendered by the armed forces of Pakistan for maintaining peace & tranquility in the country as well as for strong reply given against Indian aggression last year which has boosted morale of the nation. The house noted that Pakistani passport’s ranking has also increased worldwide. The house also paid tributes to the leader of business community (Late) Siraj Kassam Teli and his selfless services for the cause of business community were remembered.
As a gesture of goodwill, Association’s Shields were presented to representatives of industrial town associations and civic agencies.
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