PM Nawas ensures quick release of funds for Karachi development

[Salman]

PM Nawas ensures quick release of funds for Karachi development

Saturday, July 12, 2014 - Karachi—Karachi development projects involving billions of rupees and prompt sanctioning of funds for these projects was the highlight by Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif visit to Karachi. Abdullah Zaki, President KCCI has said that Rs15 billion transport project of Green Line Bus Service to be fully funded by Federal government along with sanctioning of Rs6 billion for completion of Lyari Expressway would certainly help in resolving the pressing issue of severe traffic congestions everyday on almost all streets of Karachi whereas the approval of Rs12 billion for greater water supply project, K-4, would effectively deal with the water scarcities being faced by Karachiites”, he added.

President KCCI expressed satisfaction over Prime Minister’s announcement to initiate work on Malir Motorway project, M9, which is likely to cost Rs42 billion. He said that this important project will link Karachi Port and Port Qasim, which will be welcomed by businessmen and industrialists who are certainly going to benefit from this important project on its completion as it will facilitate smooth flow of goods between the two ports. He also expressed satisfaction over PM’s announcement to commence development work on Karachi-Lahore Motorway in a few months as the federal government had already released Rs55 billion to the National Highway Authority for acquisition of land whereas early completion of Gadani Power Park and two power projects at Port Qasim would help in reducing the rising demand-supply gap.

Abdullah Zaki, however, underscored the need to announce exact commencement and completion dates of these development projects for Karachi city so that the representatives of business community could personally monitor the work in progress and ensure timely completion of these important projects. He said, “It is really heartening to note that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif fully understands and realizes the significance of Karachi city as during yesterday’s meeting at Governor House, the Prime Minster termed this important city as jugular vein of the country’s economy.” President KCCI, while appreciating Prime Minister’s optimism about regaining Karachi city’s past status of ‘city of lights’, assured full support and cooperation on behalf of the entire business community in making Karachi city a safer and securer place for living and for doing business.

Commenting on Sindh government’s role in facilitating the business community, President KCCI said that the business community of Karachi city fully acknowledges and appreciates Chief Minister’s keen interest in various development projects, particularly in the industrial zones of the city. He noted that Chief Minister Sindh recently inaugurated two reconstructed concrete roads in Site area made from the financial package of Rs270 million and underscored the need to improve infrastructure of other industrial zones as well. “We are fairly optimistic that keeping in view Chief Minister’s determination to improve law and order situation of Karachi, a clear and stringent strategy will soon be devised to restore complete and durable peace all over Karachi”, he emphasized, adding that the operation against criminals needs to be intensified and criminal activities such as kidnapping for ransom, extortions, street crimes, target killings should be dealt with iron hand.

Abdullah Zaki, on behalf of Karachi city’s Business & Industrial Community, reiterated demands to deploy army in Karachi under the Constitution in aid of Civil Government and complete shutdown of all prepaid SIMs. “These two demands were discussed and resolutions were passed during a meeting held at KCCI on June 23, 2014, which was duly signed by Chairman Businessmen Group & Former President KCCI Siraj Kassam Teli, President KCCI Abdullah Zaki, Senior Vice President Muffasar A. Malik, Vice President Muhammad Idrees, Chairman Site Association of Industry, Younus M. Bashir, Chairman Landhi Association of Trade & Industry Ziad Bashir, Chairman Bin Qasim Association of Trade & Industry Amin Ali Muhammad, Chairman F.B. Area Association of Industry, Sheikh Muhammad Tehseen, Chairman North Karachi Association of Trade & Industry, Mahmood Rangoonwala and Chairman Site Superhighway Association of Trade & Industry Javed Ghouri. In light of the decisions taken during the said meeting, a formal letter along with resolutions was sent to Prime Minister on June 25, 2014 and the deliberations during yesterday’s meeting with Prime Minister were based on the resolutions passed on June 23, 2014”, he added. He was of the view that deployment of Army in Karachi has become inevitable due to expected repercussions of Zarb-e-Azb Operation as has been done in Islamabad, Multan and other cities whereas Karachi.