KARACHI:Provincial Minister for Industries and Commerce, Anti-Corruption and Department of Cooperative Societies Jam Ikramullah Dharejo said on Tuesday that it was very unfortunate that the federal government was usurping the rights of the provinces as inflation and unemployment were increasing in the country due to incompetent and poor policies of the Centre.
He said this while inaugurating the Street Light Scheme during his visit to North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry as a chief guest and later talking to media persons. Chief Executive Officer of North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry Sadiq Muhammad, President Faisal Moeez Khan, Secretary Industries Muhammad Riaz, Deputy Commissioner West Raja MB Dharijo and others were also present on the occasion.
He said that the Sindh government stood by the industrialists to solve their problems. The promises made by the Sindh government to the industrialists are being fulfilled. Dharejo added that the federal government had not fulfilled a single promise made to the industrialists. The federal government only talks, it has not done a single practical thing in three years. The provincial minister said that there were more than 3,000 industries in North Karachi. It is a big industrial hub. The Sindh government will consider the North Karachi Zone’s two project.
Dharejo said that according to the vision of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and under the guidance of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, the Sindh government was going to create more industrial zones. The industrial zone will provide a lot of employment opportunities along with industrial development.
He said that Sindh government was working to improve SITE Karachi infrastructure. So far, the Sindh Chief Minister has given Rs1 billion for the improvement of the infrastructure of the site and development work has been started, he added.
He said the Sindh government would allocate more money for the improvement of the industrial zone while the treatment plant project was underway. He said that ‘Sindh is the lifeblood of Pakistan’s economy and Karachi exports 80% to 54% of its merchandise. The federal government had pushed Sindh’s industry to the brink of disaster with expensive electricity, gas and load shedding’.
Dharejo said that the federal government was going on a rampage on the 18th Amendment. Sindh provides 73% gas but is not getting full gas. He said that the present government of Pakistan was providing electricity to the industrialists at Rs12.85 per unit while at present, industries in Bangladesh were being given Rs 5.75 per unit.