January 17, 2008	Thursday	Muharram 07, 1429

KARACHI, Jan 16: The Sindh government has decided to invite international tenders within two weeks for the development of a multipurpose “waterfront” project along Manora on the pattern of projects executed in Dubai.

This decision was taken at a high-level meeting held at the New Sindh Secretariat on Wednesday after the proposed project was approved by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, it is reliably learnt.

The meeting, presided over by Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman and attended by officials of the city government and the board of investment trust, was informed that the 84,000-acre project would be spread over the coastal area from the Manora Light House to the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (Kanupp).

The development of the coastal area includes a commercial area, business and recreational facilities and residential schemes to attract foreign entrepreneurs to develop spots to attract tourists.

The meeting was told that out of the 84,000 acres reserved for the project, 40,000 acres would be acquired from the government, 21,000 acres were available as vacant area and 19,000 acres were in the possession of individuals given to them on short-term leases, which could be scrapped as and when required. Most of the coastal land was in the use of the Karachi Port Trust, the Pakistan Air Force and the city government, the meeting was told.

The meeting decided to meet after two weeks to review the progress on the decisions taken on Wednesday to call international tenders for the purpose.