KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to reviving the Pakistan Steel Mills and ensuring the welfare of its employees.

He announced that 700 acres of land had been allocated for the revival of the PSM, and the administration of the mills and the ministry concerned was currently conducting a commercial feasibility study for a new steel plant.

He expressed concern over the federal government’s decision to shut down the mills, emphasising that lay-offs contradict the goal of revival. “If we aim to revive Pakistan Steel, there is no justification for sacking employees,” he said while chairing a joint meeting with the PSM administration and labour union.

He said that he would request Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to reinstate 1,370 employees who were laid off before Ramazan, as well as 49 interns and skilled workers dismissed between 2020 and 2021.

Says he will request PM to reinstate 1,370 employees laid off before Ramazan

Sindh govt to manage Steel Town’s hospitals, schools

The CM announced that Steel Town’s 100-bed hospital, schools, and colleges would be reopened and managed by the Sindh government.

He instructed Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah to take over and ensure these institutions were made operational without delay.

He also directed the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation to restore water supply to Steel Town immediately.

Convener of Pakistan Steel Grand Alliance Shamshad Qureshi briefed the CM on challenges faced by the mills, including pending dues for retired employees from 2021, illegal electricity charges, gas supply issues in Steel Town, and the long-awaited launch of Gulshan-i-Hadeed Phase 4.

The PSM chief informed the chief minister that the mill paid Rs 30 million in electricity bills to KE while the residents of Steel Town contributed only Rs12m. It was also noted that the PSM was purchasing electricity at a commercial rate of Rs 60 per unit.

The CM ordered that the electricity issues in Steel Town be prioritised.

The CM formed a committee to conduct a survey of Steel Town’s housing rent issues and electricity tariffs.

The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Syed Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, Shahid Thaheem, Saeed Ghani, Special Assistant to CM Waqar Mehdi, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Sindh police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon, Principal Secretary Agha Wasif, Commissioner Hassan Naqvi and others.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2025