Ghauri inaugurates infrastructure phase-1 in Port Qasim estate

KARACHI: First phase of infrastructure development over a vast area of Eastern Zone of the industrial estate of Port Qasim has been completed and was inaugurated by Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Senator Babar Khan Ghauri on Monday.

The development works included roads, sewerage, storm water drain and water supply systems.

National Logistic Cell (NLC) and Frontier Works Organization (FWO) were given this great task which has been successfully completed within three years' period.

Second phase of infrastructure development in Eastern Zone of this largest and modern industrial estate of the country will start next week.

The Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, on this occasion, said that completion of the first phase of infrastructure, which covers a vast area meant for many industries and commercial facilities, will attract huge local and foreign investment.

Port Qasim industrial estate already enjoyed more facilities than other industrial estates of the country with distinction of being nearest to Port Qasim, the deepest port of the country and the National Highway. Main Railway track was on its the sideline.

The Ports Minister said one of the two roads in the zone have been named after late parliamentarian Ms Fouzia Wahab and another has been named after late founder of defunct BCCI Bank Agha Hasan Abidi.

He said that when he took over as the Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping there were only 40 industrial units in Port Qasim industrial estate. Now, 985 industrial units and warehouses have been completed and most of these were operational. Another 300 industrial units were scheduled to start construction there soon.

He appreciated the performance of NLC and FWO and noted that they had done quality work.

Babar Ghauri also praised the efforts of Port Qasim Authority (PQA) for development and successful operation of the Port besides making its industrial estate a big success. He acknowledged Pakistan Navy's contribution in this regard.

He directed the PQA authorities to start work on the second phase of infrastructure development at the industrial zone next week.

The Minister emphasised on promotion of merit culture and spirit of hardwork and commitment for the development and prosperity of the country.

"People are facing many problems. Governments and organizations/ institutions and the individuals would have to work hard and show their commitment to bring a change in the country," the Minister asserted.

Pakistan is blessed with plentiful and all kinds of natural resources which need to be exploited, he said adding "We would have to make it Quaid's Pakistan. Our motto should be Pakistan first."

He regretted that the country was confronted with extremism and terrorism which has badly affected our national economy.

Senator Babar Khan Ghauri appreciated the launching of Lahore Metro Bus Service and said Karachi also needed such projects.

The Federal Minister belonging to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) said that he was sure of the general elections to be held on schedule.

Chairman, Port Qasim Authority (PQA) Vice Admiral (Retd) Muhammad Shafi highlighted the achievements of PQA in terms of development of a very efficient and modern Port and development of its large industrial estate on modern lines.

He said Port Qasim initially set up one berth as a source of supplying raw materials to Pakistan Steel Mills. Now, it has 15 deep and modern berths catering to large ships. At present, it has 13 metres draught which will be increased to 14 metres before the end of this year to attract mother ships to boost cargo traffic at the port, he said.

PQA Chairman said the Port Qasim industrial estate has become very attractive for the industrialists and witnessed fast industrialisation. With the completion of the infrastructure development projects at the Eastern Zone, the Port would become the largest and a modern industrial estate of the country, he said.

He said that under the first phase infrastructure development of Easter Zone, National Logistic Cell (NLC) and Frontier Works Organization (FWO) have completed 43.4 Kms of roads, 42.7 Kms of sewerage, 68.5 Kms of water supply and 72.81 Kms of drain water system.

Vice-Admiral (Retd) Shafi pledged that PQA would continue to provide maximum, and cost and quality efficient services to the Port users and the industrialists there.

Central Commander NLC, Lt. Colonel Zaffar told APP that this first phase of development had started on May 05, 2009 at an estimated cost of Rs 4260.61 million which was later revised to Rs 4,846.89 million.

Another NLC Officer Engr. Faqir Zohaib informed that his organisation has constructed 19 roads with a total length of 22.5 Kms, 29.15 Kms water supply system, 21.15 Kms sewerage system, storm water drain spread over 37.21 Kms. All these schemes have been executed as per international standard, he said.

Major Khalid from NLC said that his organisation is fully prepared to execute second phase of infrastructure development within shortest possible time, if it were given the opportunity.