Karachi, January 10, 2018 (PPI-OT):Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah visited SITE Association of Industry on Wednesday, 10th of January, 2018 accompanied by Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Sindh Minister for Transport and Mass Transit, Labour, Human Resources and Information. Mr. Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, President, SITE Association of Industry gave a detailed briefing about the severe infrastructure problems and lacked basic facilities in SITE Industrial Estate to the Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. He said that the industrial sector based in Karachi was the main contributor to the national exchequer besides being the largest employment provider but this sector was not given attention while making the budget.
Mr. Jawed Bilwani while demanding immediate release of the allocated funds from the Government of Sindh for the construction of First Combined Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP-I) in SITE Industrial Estate out of the five approved CETPs. After construction of CETPs in Karachi which holds the lion’s share of total country’s exports, Karachi will become the first environment-compliant city in Asia. He also stated that since the required land for established of the first CETP in SITE area has already been allotted, the project of CETP-I may kindly be commenced forthwith.
Mr. Jawed Bilwani, President, SITE Association of Industry proposed to the Sindh Chief Minister for grant of funds to the SITE Association of Industry for the uplift of the civic infrastructure particularly roads in SITE Industrial Estate in a transparent manner. Mr. Bilwani had also demanded review of the outdated system of audit and inspection of record regarding consumption of stamps under the Stamp Act, 1899 by the Sindh Board of Revenue. He also demanded immediate reduction in the rate of stamp duty which was increased by 100 per cent on Letters of Credit opened by banks for imports in the Finance Bill 2014-15.
Mr. Jawed Bilwani, President has further requested the Sindh Chief Minister for grant of funds to the SITE Association for construction of an Industry House on the plot adjacent to the Association’s Building where Convention Centre and Exhibition Hall are planned to be constructed for the industrial community. Regarding Karachi Circular Railway (KCR), Mr. Jawed Bilwani stressed the need to revive this mass transit project in the larger public interest.
In his brief address, Mr. Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, Former Chairman, SITE Association of Industry has drawn the attention of the Sindh Chief Minister towards the exorbitant water rates in comparison with other parts of the country. He, therefore, demanded a fair water tariff for Karachi particularly for the industry. Mr. Zubair Motiwala further urged the Government of Sindh for immediate sanction of the required funds for laying of 24″ dia MS Bulk Water Supply Line from Hub Reservoir to SITE Limited near Valika Hospital Karachi.
Mr. Motiwala apprised the Sindh Chief Minister about the SITE Crime Monitoring Cell (SCMC) being run by the SITE Association of Industry from its own meagre resources to eliminate criminal activities. He sought financial support from the Government of Sindh for this project of public security.
Mr. Siraj Kassam Teli, Patron-in-Chief, SITE Association of Industry thanked the Sindh Chief Minister for visiting the SITE Association of Industry. He reiterated the demand for immediate release of the allocated funds from the Government of Sindh for the construction of First Combined Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP-I) in SITE Industrial Estate.
The Patron-in-Chief, SITE Association of Industry, Mr. Siraj Kassam Teli also demanded immediate execution of the project regarding widening of Bridge across Orangi Nallah in between Habib Bank to Nazimabad at Shahrah-e-Ibne Sina, Karachi. In his address, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Minister Sindh while thanking all the participants of the meeting assured that he would support the demand of the SITE Association of Industry for grant of funds to the SITE Association of Industry in consultation with the Minister for Industries and Commerce, Sindh in the matter.
Regarding construction of CETP-I in SITE Industrial Estate, Sindh Chief Minister informed the meeting that the Government of Sindh has already sanctioned its share of funds and the work on this project would be started upon receipt of the respective share of the Federal Government in the required funds.
On this occasion, Syed Murad Ali Shah has stated that the major chunk of the country’s total exports is from Karachi. Hence, he demanded from the Federal Government to use the Export Development Fund (EDF) on the development of Karachi’s industrial areas in proportion to the Karachi’s contribution to it.
Sindh Chief Minister asked the Commissioner Karachi Division to look into the matter regarding the revision of the outdated system of audit and inspection of record pertaining to the consumption of stamps under the Stamp Act, 1899 by the Sindh Board of Revenue. Sindh Chief Minister further stated that the work on Lyari Expressway is in progress and will soon be completed.
For more information, contact:
Secretary General
S.I.T.E. Association of Industry
H-16, Textile Avenue, SITE, Karachi
Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-32562883, +92-21-32560705
Fax: +92-21-32560704
E-mail: site@site-association.org
Website: www.site-association.org