Due to deteriorating law and order situation, energy crisis and some other reasons, 801 industrial units of various sectors have been closed in Sindh during last six financial years resulting more than 13,000 labourers became jobless, it is learnt on Monday.
The report compiled by Sindh Industries and Commerce department obtained by Business Recorder, has disclosed this that total 801 industrial units of various sectors have been closed in Sindh during the last six financial years (2005-6 to 2010-11). Report mentioned that 801 industrial units of various sectors have been closed due to deteriorating law and order situation, energy crisis and some other reasons and more than 13,000 labourers became jobless.
According to report, 81 out of total 801 industrial units had been closed in various areas of the province only in FY 2010-11. However, rest of (720) industrial units of various sectors had been shut-off during the financial years of 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10. The report carried out district-wise breakup of closed industries mentioning that 692 out of total 801 closed industries were established only in Karachi.
However, 26 industries were closed in Hyderabad, 17- industries in Nooriabad, 31- industries in Kotri (Jamshoro), 7- industries in Sukkur, 4- industries in Khairpur Mirs, 6- industries in Ghotki district, 6- industries in district Thatta, 12- industries in Larkana, 1- in Benazirabad and 1- in Mirpurkhas, report mentioned. As per report, a large number of closed industrial units were established only in Karachi while, a very small pocket of closed industries were established in other districts of the province.
The names of closed industrial units including textile, cotton and ginning industries, plastic, engineering works, auto parts, garments, paint, food and beverages, printing press, chemical, cosmetics, poultry, fiber, leather, dry cleaners, flourmills, fisheries, dairy, steel and aluminium, hotel, hardware, tyre and rubber, hosiery, spinning and weaving, pipe, metal, construction, tiles and marble, pharma, plastic begs, glass, tobacco, cooking oil and others.
It is a matter of great concern that on the one side province had faced a huge economical loss due to closing of industrial units and on the other hand, unemployment was enhanced because more than 13,000 workers became jobless who were working in these (closed) industrial units.
In this connection, Secretary Industries and Commerce Zamir Ahmed Khan told Business Recorder that closing of 801 industrial units in Sindh is a set back to the economy of the province and country as well but Industries department can't play any role in order to keep Industrial units as open. He said that though, a large number of industries have been closed in last six years but local investors are still opening new industries in Karachi and other parts of the province.