KARACHI, May 28: The President, Pervez Musharraf, on Saturday directed that concerted efforts be made for the development of Karachi, an important industrial hub of the country. At a presentation on the Tameer-i-Karachi Programme made at the Governor’s House, the president evinced keen interest in each and every project of the programme. The presentation was made by the Karachi City Nazim, Niamatullah Khan.
He said the private sector especially multinationals and oil companies should be invited to contribute their bit towards the city’s development.
President Musharraf directed the federal, provincial and city governments, and the Planning Division to make concerted efforts for the development of Karachi.
He instructed that any snags in the way of Karachi’s development be removed, adding that the federal government would extend full cooperation in this regard.
He said that infrastructure facilities should be provided to investors to generate more and more investment and to attract foreign investors.
The President directed that a plan regarding the sewerage-III project of Karachi should be prepared and submitted to the federal government.
He also inquired about the progress of the Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD) and Rainee Canal project and directed the government of Sindh to speed up the pace of work.
The Chief Minister, Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, assured that the provincial government would play its full role in the Tameer-i-Karachi Programme.
Earlier, the Sindh Governor, Dr Ishratul Ibad, welcomed the President and appreciated his interest in the development of Karachi.
He said it was because of the President’s keen interest that the problems of Karachi were being solved speedily.
The governor said the President had taken practical steps towards the development of the metropolis.
Federal Minister Senator Babar Ghauri, MNA Dr Farooq Sattar, MPAs Syed Sardar Ahmed, Shoaib Bukhari, Adviser to Chief Minister Wasim Akhtar, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission Dr Akram Shaikh, Chief Secretary Fazal-ur-Rehman, Corps Commander Lt-Gen Syed Athar Ali and senior officials also attended the meeting.
Earlier, speaking to APP, the Sindh Governor, Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, said the President, Pervez Musharraf, had directed that all required facilities be provided to industrial areas in Karachi.
He said the President in a review meeting about the Tameer-i-Karachi Programme at the Governor’s House had also issued instructions to remove any problems in the way of the programme.
He said the President laid emphasis on strengthening and providing required facilities to all industrial areas in Karachi, adding that more industrial areas would be set up in Karachi and other parts of the province.
Ibad stated that a meeting would soon be held in Karachi about development of industrial areas. This meeting, he said, would be attended by the minister for industries, chairman Planning Commission and other officials.—APP
