KARACHI, July 20: The Governor, Ishratul Ibad, on Wednesday directed high officials to examine problems with reference to the construction of a proposed 54-storeyed head office building of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and submit a report within 10 days. He issued the directives to the Assistant Chief Secretary (Local Government), Saleem Khan, and KBCA Chief Brig A.S. Nasir, who had raised objections saying if permission was given for such a huge building, it would create traffic problems and affect civic life. Besides, they said the law did not permit commercial activity on an amenity plot.

However, agreeing to importance of the project, the governor said its advantage could not be denied.

He said laws were made by men and if these required a change for a good project or some concessions were needed, the government would certainly consider the same.

Ibad asked the ACS (Local Government) to have a meeting with the KBCA Chief to examine the matter and prepare a report within 10 days.

The governor was presiding over a meeting held under his chairmanship at the Governor’s House, which was also attended by Chief Secretary Fazalur Rehman, President FPCCI Mohammed Saeed, Provincial Secretary Industries Brig Akhtar Zamin and others.

Participants of the meeting were given a technical presentation on the proposed building project and informed that it was a 54-storeyed project, which would replace the existing FPCCI head office.

They said it had been designed as an attractive symbol of identification of Karachi for those coming here from all over the world.

The country’s tallest structure would cost Rs3.75 billion and would have a three-storeyed shopping mall, eight-storeyed parking, 500-seat auditorium, exhibition hall, office, executive blocks and an executives club.

Government cooperation was sought in the meeting for getting permission from the KBCA for 10-20 per cent commercialization of the amenity plot.

The Federation’s office bearers said they had brought a very good proposal to the government and if permission was granted, work would be started forthwith. They also said there was no vested interest involved.

Pointing out that it was a national project in which requirements of the future were kept in view, they said all legal hitches in the way should be removed.—APP