KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has expressed dissatisfaction over the slow pace of work on Dhabeji Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and directed officials to expedite the construction work and provide regular updates.

CM Shah was earlier informed that construction work at the SEZ stood at 10.6 per cent, while electrification work and gas installation was underway.

Asked about the condition of internal roads, Minister for Planning and Development Syed Nasir Shah said the works and services department was handling construction, with 50pc of the work completed. The CM directed him to expedite the work.

He also instructed his special assistant to ensure laying of a 10MGD line by the end of February.

Meets industrialists

While chairing a separate meeting, the chief minister expressed his commitment to addressing industrialists’ concerns by establishing a joint ‘Facilitation and Coordination Committee’.

The chief minister directed the revenue and police departments to remove encroachments and address all revenue- and police-related issues faced by industrialists.

He recalled that the industrialists had met PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to discuss their concerns, and the latter had issued clear directives for their resolution.

CM Shah instructed the chief secretary to notify the establishment of the ‘Facilitation and Coordi­nation’ committee, which will include heads of various associations of industrialists, such as ABAD, to facilitate collaboration rein resolving their issues.

He directed the authorities concerned to remove all encroachments from industrial areas, restore green belts and collaborate with industrialists for proposals on further facilities for both existing and upcoming investments.

The chief minister asked the revenue department to resolve industrialists’ issues and directed the chief secretary to personally follow up on reports from revenue offices.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2025