Ibad hands over shop keys to Boulton market traders

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan Saturday handed over keys of newly constructed shops to the shopkeepers of Boulton market whose shops and markets were set on fire by angry protesters after blast in an Ashura rally 18 months back. "Government today fulfilled its promise made to the victims," he said at a ceremony held at Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
He said it was with the help of the coalition partners in Sindh Government, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani that we completed a gigantic task to compensate the shopkeepers and reconstruct the markets destroyed in arson attack by miscreants.
"The gigantic task to rebuild the markets, though still underway, was carried out with funding of Rs 3.5 billion contributed by PM, the President and Government of Sindh," he said. All the leadership of MQM and PPP were deeply concerned including MQM Quaid Altaf Hussain who telephoned all the high ups and government functionaries at the Federal and Provincial level to redress the suffering of the business community and small traders and shopkeepers on priority basis.
He said it was the first phase today that 348 shopkeepers were being given the keys of the shops and added that 80 percent work on 19 buildings have been completed while will be given possession in next two months time. "Karachi and particularly Boulton Market located in old town area is the nerve centre of business and economic activity of the country," he observed and assured full co-operation to the shopkeepers in future as well.
"I still feel the pain of the people as I myself visited the place of destruction and the chaos and anxiety in the eyes of shopkeepers then which I will never forget," the Governor said. He said it was for the first time in the history of the country that such a gigantic task to rebuild and compensate the victims of terrorism by the government and private sector.
"It has been Government of Sindh but the key role was played by the business community on the platform of KCCI which deserves appreciation," he further maintained. On the occasion, he also distributed keys of possession of shops among the owners. Earlier, the President KCCI, Saeed Shafiq, President Anjuman-e-Tajran, Rafiq Jadoon, Advisor to Chief Minister on Investment Zubair Motiwala also spoke about the rehabilitation efforts of KCCI for 19 markets of Boulton market. Law Minister Sindh, Ayaz Soomro was also present who promised to the shopkeepers that Sindh government will play a very positive role in future as well in collaboration with coalition partners.