KARACHI, July 19: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan on Tuesday underlined the need for preparing a “master plan” to facilitate a fast industrial growth in the province. Dr Ibad was of the opinion that the master plan would be helpful in allocation of funds for various development projects. Presiding over a meeting at the Governor’s House, he said that President Musharraf had outlined a clear vision for expansion of industrial activities in the country, including Sindh, and removal of hurdles, if any.

He pointed out that this meeting was a follow-up of the high level meeting presided over by President Pervez Musharraf last week at the Governor’s House.

Dr Ibad said the government wanted to create an environment conducive to industrialization and these efforts had started bearing results.

He assured the businessmen that he would also arrange their meeting with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in the meantime.

He was of the opinion that keeping in view the problems regarding infrastructure facilities facing industrial units, it was necessary to have a clear roadmap.

He urged the industrial associations to provide their input for this purpose. “You have to identify problems of your areas, their solutions as well as suggestions for the expansion in the existing areas and available facilities,” he added.

Dr Ibad advised the industrialists to categorize their input reports on the basis of large, medium, small and cottage units as their problems differed from each other.

He suggested them to provide their input within 15 days. The governor also advised them to submit a progress report on the points agreed at the meeting with President Musharraf last week.

Responding to the demand of industrialists about the allotment of plots in the Port Qasim industrial area, the governor said he would take up the matter with the Ports and Shipping Minister on Wednesday.

He also advised industrial estates to form their companies to get out of government procedures and work on fast track to resolve problems under the newly announced package of President Musharraf for improving infrastructure facilities.

Earlier, industrialists informed the governor of the problems being faced by them in connection with the allotment of industrial land and provision of basic facilities

Senior Sindh Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed, Planning Minister Shoaib Bokhari, Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman, heads of FPCCI, KCCI and various industrial associations from Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur were present.

During his visit to Pakistan Eye Bank Society Hospital in North Karachi, the governor said that fruits of the work done by the government in various sectors during the last few years have started reaching the people at the grassroots level.

Earlier, he inaugurated the cornea transplant department at Iftekhar Hussain Memorial Library and went round various sections of the hospital.

Addressing the ceremony, the governor appreciated the performance of Pakistan Eye Bank Society.—APP