Sindh Governor Mohammad Zubair has said Pakistan is out of the difficult phase it was in and now is the time for taking appropriate decisions to attract investment. Speaking at a meeting of Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), Governor said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) being carried out by the government will open new vistas of development in the entire region.
Zubair said the government allocated fund in 2018-19 budget of federal government to set up declination plant in Karachi to overcome water shortage in the city. He said the project is likely to be initiated by July 1 this year. Governor told that two power projects of 1320 MW have been completed at Port Qasim within the short period of 23 months and spoke about the newly constructed road between Quetta and Gwadar, which has reduced travel time between both the cities from 48 hours to 18 hours.
He denounced the criticism of opposition parties on federal budget and termed it as business and general public friendly. However, he said upcoming government have all the rights to make changes in budget. He recalled that PML-N decided to start operation in Karachi just after 2013 elections to resort law & order in the city. Now the efforts have started boot to business acuities and now people feel relax and enjoy sports activities. Governor assured business community for resolving their issues on priority bases. He said the issues related to provincial government will be taken up with considered authorities to get them resolved.
FPCCI former president S M Muneer said due to water shortage in Karachi industry was facing production problems. He said if water shortage issue wouldn't resolved on prorate bases, not only the country's export would face a major set back but it will cause a new wave of unemployment. He also reminded issue of refunds and said the government made several promises to resolve the issues of exporters and demanded to fulfil its promises.
KATI president Tariq Malik urged the governor to play his role to attract investment in Karachi. Chairman and CEO of KITE DMC, Zubair Chaya suggested that the Governor should start development projects of Korangi Industrial Area, by Karachi Infrastructure Development Company (KIDC) which directly came under his authority.
Senior vice president Salman Aslam, vice president Junaid Naqi, chairman & CEO KITE DMC Zubair Chaya, Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan, FPCCI's SVP Mazhar A Nasir, Khalid Tawab, Gulzar Firoz and others also expressed their views.