BAHAWALPUR, Oct 23: An industrial estate should be set up here for the development of the area and creating job opportunities for the unemployed youth.

The demand was voiced by Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) president Sheikh Abbas Raza at a press conference here on Thursday.

He suggested that a small industrial estate should be developed in Bahawalnagar for the promotion of small scale industries there.

He said a summary in this regard has been sent to the government for approval.

Mr Raza said efforts were being made to revive 36 sick units at small industrial estate here where at present only 14 small units were functioning.

He said the recently formed Small Industries Corporation of the Punjab has sanctioned Rs3.6 million for the improvement of industrial estate’s roads and sewerage system.

He also demanded incentives for growers to produce contamination-free cotton, introduction of Boeing flights from Bahawalpur to Lahore and Islamabad and stoppage of Karakoram Express.

Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) president Malik Nazim Awan described as dangerous the reports of import of cotton. He warned that if cotton was imported without estimating this year’s production, it would prove disastrous for country’s economy and ginners and growers as it had happened during the 1983 crisis.

He said the government should revise the cotton production target as massive pest attack in Bahawalpur and other areas of cotton belt has badly damaged the crop.

He lamented that after heavy loses due to pest attack, no government department or agency had so far announced the target of current cotton crop.

He demanded to set up a laboratory for contamination-free cotton here.

PROTEST CAMP: The Bahawalpur chapter of the PPP organized a protest camp outside the main commercial centre, Farid Gate, against rise in prices, poor law and order situation and government failure to solve basic problems of the people.