Governor Sindh assures full support to resolve industry issues

KARACHI: The Governor of Sindh Muhammad Kamran Khan Tessori, has said that the design of bureaucracy needs to be changed and at least two experienced persons having experience of relevant fields, should be hired in every Department to give expert advice to the Minister & Secretaries concerned. It is heartening that the Prime Minister has started taking action on this suggestion.

Speaking at a meeting during his visit to the SITE Association of Industry, he said we need to think for collective gains. Unfortunately, the issues are still the same as they were many years before. The issues will not resolve even in the next 20 years if we keep looking for their resolution in the existing system. We need an out of box solution to address these issues.

Patron-in-Chief Zubair Motiwala, Chief Coordinator Saleem Parekh, Former President Jawed Bilwani, SVP Muhammad Hanif Tawakkal, VP Muhammad Farhan Ashrafi, Chairman of Law & order sub-committee Abdul Hadi, Former Presidents Muhammad Tariq Yousuf, Majyd Aziz, Abdul Rasheed, members of the executive committee, and general members also attended the meeting.

Responding to points raised by SVP Muhammad Hanif Tawakkal in his welcome address, Governor Sindh assured his full support & cooperation in resolving issues of industries of SITE area pertaining to the federal government. “Keeping the doors of Governor House open 24 hours sent a message to all other government departments to make themselves available to the public following in the footsteps of Governor House. Today, Governor House has become the house of facilities to public including ration distribution, Rickshaw and stitching machines distribution, arranging interest-free non-refundable loans for Rozgar schemes from 1 lac to 1 crore rupees etc. and added that not a single rupee from the Governor House fund has been spent on these activities, rather it is the money contributed by business community of Pakistan and Pakistanis living abroad”, Governor added.

Patron-in-Chief Zubair Motiwala, speaking on the occasion said that no doubt, Kamran Tessori is an Awam-dost and industry friendly Governor. He said that due to the gas tariff issue, the industries have suffered colossal losses and approximately 20% of SMEs have closed down, thereby adding to the unemployment.

He added that the IMF has asked Pakistan to increase imports. This is an eye opener for us because if this is implemented, it will have an adverse impact on industry, exports and the economy as a whole. He spoke at length on electricity and gas tariffs. Giving reference to a high level meeting held with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Zubair Motiwala stated that it has been acknowledged by the Prime Minister that our energy tariff is the highest in the region but unfortunately, no further step has been taken. He recommended enhancing the wages of police personnel enabling them to live respectable & honest lives.

Zubair Motiwala highly appreciated the initiatives of the Governor to address issues of citizens, particularly the IT Training being imparted to the young generation. He expressed the confidence that the Governor Sindh will use his good offices to resolve the issues of industry to ensure their smooth functioning.

Earlier, SVP Muhammad Hanif Tawakkal welcomed the honourable Governor Sindh to the Association and thanked him for visiting SAI first. He presented brief introduction of SITE area and highlighted some key issues facing the industry which in particular included giving Karachi city its due share in resources, release of funds under PSDP projects for SITE area, water related issues, setting up of Combined Effluent Treatment Plant, gas related issues, drug addicts and law & order related matters etc. Mr. Tawakkal mentioned that the cost of utilities, including gas & electricity, has increased by approx. 300pc over the past one year which is a very serious matter and needs immediate attention. This has created a severe liquidity crisis for industrialists.

He stressed the need to develop proper infrastructure in industrial areas and provide protection to SMEs which are the backbone of the economy for any country. Measures should be taken by the government to ensure ease of doing Business as it will be very difficult for the SMEs to survive in present conditions.

Chief Coordinator Saleem Parekh, while appreciating the performance of Governor Sindh remarked that he has proved himself worthy of this position. He requested the Governor to arrange a meeting with the Prime Minister to address industry issues., particularly gas related issues and release of PSDP funds. The meeting was scheduled to be held on 1st of 2nd May 2024 with the industrialists of Karachi but unfortunately, it was postponed. He requested the Governor to use his good offices to reschedule the meeting as early as possible. He also highlighted the issue of Rangers Operation against water theft and stressed the need to resolve the issue in such a way that affects industrial production the least.

Former President Jawed Bilwani suggested that strict check & balance on all Entry & Exit points of Karachi should be adopted and officers of repute should be posted at these check posts. Data of all vehicles coming to Karachi and all passengers should be recorded and the same should also be verified through online links with the Excise Department and NADRA. This will greatly help in containing the inflow of criminal elements in the metropolis. He expressed concerns over negative growth of the national economy and remarked that despite being an agriculture based country, we still import cotton.

Chairman of Law & order sub-committee Abdul Hadi appreciated the Governor Sindh on reviving Sindh Industrial Liaison Committee (SILC) and suggested that due to increase in mobile snatching & killing incidents, the crime should be placed under Rangers domain.