KARACHI, July 15: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), which is the major stakeholder in the provincial coalition government, on Friday claimed that due to its perseverance two new industrial zones and industrial park, desalination plants and other industrial development projects in Karachi were announced by the president recently. These projects would involve billions of rupees expenditure for which the federal government would provide substantial amount which would be matched by the provincial government.
This was stated by deputy convenor of the MQM Dr Farooq Sattar at a news conference at the Karachi Press Club. He was accompanied by Ms Nasreen Jaeel, Mr Anwar Alam and Kunwar Naveed.
Replying to a question Dr Sattar said that allocations for some of these projects were made in the federal budget’s PSDP and Sindh government’s annual development plan.
Dr Sattar said that being conscious of the needs and problems of Karachi and rest of the province, MQM being the third largest political party of the country and second largest of Sindh, had always advocated the needs of the people.
In this context, on the instructions of the party founder Altaf Hussain, it had engaged in advocacy with the president and other functionaries of the government to initiate projects for setting up industrial zones and improvement of industrial infrastructure that would provide job opportunities to thousands of people and encourage new entrepreneurs.
He thanked the president for announcing these projects during his visit to Karachi and said that over Rs1 billion would be spent for setting up two new industrial zones and an industrial park. Sindh government would also provide equivalent amount for these projects.
According to plans small and medium industrial sector would be set up on 250 acres in Korangi whereas a new industrial zone would be set up on 1,500 acres adjacent to the Pakistan Steel Mills.
Work on these projects would be initiated in September this year; he said adding that Port Qasim would set up industrial zone on public private partnership basis on 2,000 acres. PQA and KPT authorities would set up desalination plants for making seawater usable. Work on these projects would commence in December, he said.
He claimed that due to the MQM’s efforts the Nooriabad industrial estate, which had suffered due to lack of gas, was once again becoming productive as it had been provided gas and matters pertaining to 147 units had been approved by the federal government.
Dr Sattar said that concerned authorities had been directed to review the PC-I of the RBOD-1 and II and RBOD-III should be included in it. Planning division officials and army’s chief engineer would be consulted in this regard, he added.
Similarly he said that Rs100 million each would be spent on Sukkur and Ghotki industrial zones’ infrastructure, Rs100 million for Hyderabad and Kotri and Rs100 million for the development of industrial infrastructure in Nooriabad industrial estate. For providing water to Nooriabad estate from Khinjar lake Rs690 million had been earmarked.
He thanked the prime minister for providing Rs250 million for the industrial estate meant for cottage industry set up by women on 35 acres.
Dr Sattar also referred to Rs29 billion special Karachi package announced earlier by the president.
He alleged that the outgoing city government had deliberately destroyed the infrastructure of industrial areas by creating artificial shortage of water, electricity and gas supply.
Dr Sattar said that the CDGK failed to make judicious use of the huge amount of Rs1.25 trillion.
He apprehended that a huge amount might have been swindled and many of those responsible had fled the country.
Dr Sattar also slammed the former city nazim for making slanderous statements about law and order in the city owing to which England declined to play cricket matches in the metropolis.
Replying to a question he said that until the government translated the concept of ring cities into reality, immediate work on improving industrial infrastructure for the city could not be left dormant.
Meanwhile the MQM continued with its corner meetings in different parts of the city. Dr Sattar addressed one such corner meetings in Landhi and opened a unit office along with Talib Imam.
They solicited support for the Haq Parast candidates and said that if the local government system would be strong, the country would become strong and prosperous.
Corner meetings were also held in Liaqutabad, Federal B Area, Orangi Town in which MQM MNAs MPAs and other leaders highlighted their manifesto and promised to solve their problems on priority basis.
