April 09, 2008	Wednesday	Rabi-us-Sani 2, 1429

KARACHI, April 8: The fate of country’s first agro-processing zone, launched by the Sindh government early last year, is in the doldrums, as development work remains suspended for the last six months.

The agro-processing zone was meant to facilitate exporters of perishable goods, such as fruits and vegetables by providing them the required infrastructure for stocking, grading, etc., near farms.

The main purpose of the zone is to enable those making investment in agriculture sector to compete in the world market by ensuring quality and standard required for export.

The provincial government had provided 50 acres on the Super Highway for the zone and in July last year allotment was given to leading exporters of fruits and vegetables.

However, on a recent visit to the site by a group of exporters, it transpired that enthusiasm had tapered off and work had actually stopped.

According to Mr Khalid Eijaz Qureshi, chief coordinator of Agro Export Processing Zone Units Association, around 20 acres had been occupied by land-grabbers, and the remaining 30 acres is exposed to the mafia as compound wall had been left incomplete.Sources in the Sindh government, requesting anonymity, told Dawn that the government had frozen funds and currently a probe was under way after discovering some defective construction work.

The sources said that work would resume only after the completion of the investigation.

However, exporters fear that till such times the remaining 30 acres would be usurped by the land mafia because of incomplete periphery wall.

Another member of the group, Jawed Bilwani, said that the administrative block and mosque built by the provincial government in the zone had also been occupied.

He said that the agro-processing zone would provide all sorts of facilities, such as warehouses, storage space and chilling rooms to preserve perishable goods and ensure their quality.

The exporters have also urged the government to immediately release funds for the necessary infrastructure needed to protect the country’s first agro-processing zone.

After the completion of the boundary wall, Mr Bilwani said exporters would actively proceed with their plans.