PRESS RELEASE – 4th October, 2018
Reconstruction
of Manghopir Road
to
be completed in 3 months – Governor Sindh
“Karachi is listed
among top priority of the PTI Government. Karachiites have given mandate to PTI
by supporting 14 candidates to win National Assembly seats. As committed by
Prime Minister Imran Khan, the federal government funded projects which
included Seawater desalination plant, green bus metro project, TP-4 water
treatment plant, widening of Northern bypass and re-enforcement of Lyari Expressway
for heavy traffic, shall be executed through Karachi Infrastructure Development
Company Ltd.”
This was
stated by Governor Sindh Mr.Imran Ismail while addressing industrialists of
SITE industrial area at the SITE Association’s office (4-10-18).
Following the meeting, the Governor inaugurated the Reconstruction work of
Manghopir Road which will be completed in record time of 3 months.
Governor Sindh
announced that “Government-Citizens Liaison Committee (GCLC)” will be
formed having representatives of Industrialists to resolve their problems and
issues related to federal Ministries and authorities. Setting up this Cell at
Governor House will save the industrialists from visiting Islamabad for getting
small jobs done and will ultimately improve the working efficiency of federal
bureaucracy. He also sought proposals of the business & industrial
community in respect to composition and TORs of GCLC.
He also promised to
talk to Prime Minister for immediate execution of construction work of Combined
Effluent Treatment Plants in Karachi. The industries will also get recycled
water from TP-4 treatment plant. He also promised that all the ditches &
patches of main roads in SITE Area shall be repaired sooner on priority.
On suggestion of
Zubair Motiwala to provide funds worth 50 crore for the infrastructure uplift
in SITE area, the Governor said that it is the responsibility of the provincial
and local government to construct & repair all the roads. Let the
government functionaries do their job as it is not the job of industrialist to
carry out development projects.
Replying to the
demand of Jawed Bilwani, the Governor stated that the Federal Government is
funding to revamp the Karachi Fire Brigade and agreed to provide Fire Tenders
to SITE Association for quicker action in the incidents of fire eruption in
SITE Area.
Responding to the
concerns of Siraj Kassam Teli, Leader & Patron-in-Chief of SITE
Association, regarding issuance of Notices to industrialists by FIA, Governor
Sindh stated that FIA has not been given any new authority or powers. The
current notices have been issued to persons having undeclared properties in UAE
and who have not paid their tax liabilities. The government will never harass
or penalize the legitimate taxpayers.
Earlier,
Mr.Jawed Bilwani, Immediate Past President of SITE Association of Industry, in his welcome address highlighted key issues facing the SITE
industrial area. He said that SITE
Association holds the privilege and honour of the industry whose foundation
was laid by the great Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Founder of Pakistan who
performed the foundation stone of the first Textile Mill M/s. Valika Textile
Mills on 26th September 1947.
He said that Infrastructure in SITE
Industrial Area is in very poor condition and need rehabilitation. SITE Area
requires carpeting of roads, installation of street lights and improvement of
green belts and pavements. He highlighted two traffic bottlenecks in
SITE industrial area, causing major traffic jams in the area. One is at ICI
Bridge entrance / Queens Road and the other one is at Habib Bank bridge
Nazimabad near Salika Sewing Machine Co. (Orangi Nallah) and requested
immediate resolution of the same. He proposed that E-Ticketing or some
electronic solution for tax collection at Lyari Express should be introduced
for speedy collection of toll taxes and to save time & fuel.
The
Karachi Metrobus project was
inaugurated on 25 February 2016 and was scheduled to begin operation by
February 2017. Green Line bus project is expected to be completed in next few
months. To facilitate workforce of SITE Industrial Area, feeder buses should be
included in the project to connect SITE Industrial Area with the Metro Bus and
Green Lines.
Mr.Bilwani
further said that with the closure of Karachi Circular Railway (KCR), Karachiites
were deprived of the most safest and economical way of traveling to the SITE
Industrial Area all over Karachi. KCR had 04 Railway stations in the SITE
area. This project is of public interest and direly needed, hence, the
Federal Govt should also play its role in revamping KCR.
Karachi
is the port city and hub of commercial activities. Karachi Seaport having three
terminals: PICT, KICT & SAPT are located within the Karachi City. These
three container terminals have currently no direct connectivity with the
Highways going to upcountry for vice versa. Currently, the heaving traffic and
containers are passed through the city causing severe traffic and other
problems.
The
Federal Government has approved funds for the setting up of 05 Combined
Effluent Treatment Plants in Industrial zones of Karachi. The Sindh
Government has also allocated and approved funds. Due to environment and
compliance issues, construction work of CETPs should immediately be executed.
He
suggested that water recycling plant should be installed at TP-1 and TP-2 treatment
plants to provide recycled water to SITE industries for industrial process
which will help in meeting water requirement of the Area to some extent.
He
requested the Governor for allocation of some funds for establishment of SITE
Industrial Centre for conducting Seminars / Events, holding Exhibitions and
Emergency Rescue Centre.
He
said that Karachi Fire Brigade Department also requires immediate revamping and
up gradation. The SITE Fire Station also lacks proper infrastructure and
equipments. We propose that Fire Tenders or funds for the purchase of fire
tenders should be provided to SITE Association of Industry. The Association
will manage it and ensure effective working of the system which will save
industries from big losses due to fire eruption incidents.
Speaking
on the occasion, former President of SITE Association Zubair Motiwala
said that the burning issues are supply of water and removal of solid waste
which can been seen at every nook & corner of the city. He requested the
Governor for amendment in the Sindh Environmental Laws to incorporate the
Combined Effluent Treatment Plants under provincial control. He lamented that
SRB generates 91 pc revenue from Karachi but Sindh government spends nothing on
development of city’s infrastructure.
Leader
& Patron-in-Chief of SITE Siraj Kassam Teli, speaking on the occasion said that FIA has
been issuing notices to industrialists which is causing harassment. He also
highlighted other issues and problems faced by industrialists of SITE Area. He
demanded that genuine industrialists who are taxpayers should be harassed
through misuse of powers by government authorities.
Acting
President Naveed Wahid thanked the
Chief Guest for sparing time from his busy schedule to visit SITE Association
and listen to the grievances of industrialists.
Dr.Syed
Azhar Ibne Hasan
Secretary
General
https://www.brecorder.com/2018/10/05/443788/governor-inaugurates-reconstruction-work-of-manghopir-road/
04-Oct-2018
Copyright © 2024 All rights reserved.
Designed & Developed by Digital Hyperlink (PVT) LTD.