Construction of residential colony for workers: Sindh government to provide five acres of land to PQA

Sindh Government will provide at least five acres of land to the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) for construction of a residential colony for the port workers, who are increasing in number with the expansion of trade activities at the country's second largest port.
This was stated by Chairman PQA, Vice Admiral Muhammad Asad Qureshi (Retd), while addressing the 4rth anniversary of Port Qasim Association of Trade and Industry (PQATI) and oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected office bearers of the Association at PQA here on Thursday.
He said Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad had promised to provide the required land to the authority for construction of the labour colony during a recent meeting. He said the authority was speedily developing the infrastructure for the Rs 8.5 billion Eastern Industrial Zone project of PQA through constructing roads and other networks, which would boost the industrial activities at the port.
The infrastructure development work would be completed within next two years, he added. He further said that last year liquid cargo terminal was completed at the cost of about $12 million and this year two more terminals of Grain Fertiliser and 2nd OICT would be completed.
"LNG terminals, Coal & Clinker/Cement and other terminals are being encouraged by PQA," he said adding that presently, projects over $400 million were under construction and the foreigners were assisting the authority in the construction of these terminals.
Assuring his support to PQATI, the chairman said that the authority was developing roads to help the traders for improving the business activities. He said the demand for more incentives from the government was justified and the traders should be given more incentives.
Mian Muhammad Ahmad, Chairman PQATI, who was elected for a second consecutive term, said the association, which was formed four years back, was trying to maximise the trade activities while inviting more foreign direct investment (FDI) to the country. "Only 40 to 50 industrial and commercial units were operational with the same under construction till 2006, but currently the number of units increased by over 140 while 350 units are under construction, to be operational this year despite overall recession in the world and un-healthy law and order situation in the country", he added.
He said the strategic planning and development at the port were not only increasing the FDI but also creating a large number of job opportunities. In the next three years the numbers of terminal at the port would be double with the increase in cargo handling. Earlier Asad Qureshi congratulated the new office bearers of PQATI, who took oath on the occasion. He assured that PQA management would remain in touch with PQATI for their valuable suggestion for development of the port.
The newly elected PQATI office bearers are included Mian Mohammad Ahmed, chairman, Usman Ahmed, Vice Chairman, Farhan Zafar and Shakil Ashfaq, Honorary Secretary General, and four other members including Naeem Ilyas Khanani, Mohammad Hafeezuddin, Farhan Ansari and Fareed Jadoon as members executive committee of the association. The ceremony was also attended by Ahsan Hassan Zaidi, joint secretary Ministry of Ports and Shipping, industrialists, terminal operators and the owners of commercial units.