KARACHI, June 13: The progress of revival and recommissioning of the Karachi Milk Plant, which is expected to go into production by July 30, was reviewed at a meeting held under the chairmanship of chief secretary, Javed Ashraf Hussain, here on Thursday.

The meeting was attended by the home secretary, the agriculture secretary, the DCO Karachi and representatives of Idara-e-Kissan Pakistan, Sui-Southern Gas and the KESC.

It was informed that the equipments including boilers available with the old Karachi Milk Plant, to be used for production of standard packaged milk, had been sent for repair and would be installed by July 15.

The meeting was told that orders had been placed for the import of machinery for production of dairy milk powder and it was expected to arrive by the end of July.

It was stated that Idara-e-Kissan Pakistan had already contacted the dairy owners of districts Thatta and Badin for regular supply of 30,000 litres of milk on a daily basis to the Karachi Milk Plant, while the containers for the transportation of milk had been arranged.

The supply of milk from the rural areas of Thatta and Badin to the Plant will progressively be increased from 30,000 litres to 100,000 litres per day. This will be in addition to the production of dry milk powder which will save foreign exchange by import substitution.

The representative of the KESC assured restoration of electricity to the milk plant in three days, while arrangements are being made for the restoration of the gas supply by July 15.

It was informed that vacant possession of the plant had already been handed over to Idara-e-Kissan Pakistan and brisk activity is going on for repair and restoration of the buildings.—APP