Federal Minister for Labour and Manpower Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah said on Monday that the government was determined to revive and expand Pakistan Steel, and strongly rejected the impression that the Mill would be privatised. The minister was addressing the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected office bearers of Pakistan Steel Peoples Workers' Union.
Central Secretary General of PPP Senator Jahangir Badar, Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister Rashid Rabbani, Special Assistant to CM Syed Waqar Mehdi, President PPP Karachi Syed Najmi Alam, General Secretary PPP Karachi Saeed Ghani, Secretary General of Labour Bureau Pakistan and former Sindh labour minister Khawaja Muhammad Awan, Acting CEO of Pakistan Steel Imtiaz Ahmed Lodhi besides officials of the Peoples Union (CBA) were present.
The federal minister said Steel Mill has a great potential to grow. It has never been a burden on the national exchequer. Not a single penny has ever been given to it as subsidy. This project was completed at a total cost of Rs 25 billion and it has so far returned to the national exchequer more than Rs 97 billion in the shape of duties and taxes. It has retired entire previous loans and is capable enough to re-pay the new loan of Rs 25 billion recently approved by Prime Minister under 'Pakistan Steel Bail Out Package'. The PSM has already got Rs 3 billion as part of this package.
Pakistan Steel has given a lot to the nation. We should not hesitate to provide funds, if needed, for its revival and strength, the Minister asserted. He said Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is the only true representative of democracy in the country and has always worked for the betterment of the poor instead of guarding the interests of the rich. Syed Khursheed Shah lauded the role of Pakistan Steel Peoples Workers' Union for the welfare of the workers and the Mill.
The federal minister, on this occasion, announced to set up CT scan and MRI facilities for PSM workers and their families from Workers Welfare Fund. He also announced that around 4.2 million registered workers will now get their medical treatment even at Aga Khan Hospital, if needed.
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