Loan agreements with WB: Sindh government prioritises development of Karachi: minister

KARACHI: Sindh Minster for Information and Local Bodies Nasir Hussain Shah said that the provincial government has prioritised the development of Karachi in loan agreements with the World Bank (WB), adding that funds for improvement of the transport system have also been allocated.

He was addressing a ceremony organised by Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) at KCCI auditorium here on Thursday. He was accompanied by the provincial minister for Industries and Commerce Jam Ikramullah Dharejo and others. Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) Siraj Kassam Teli, President KCCI Agha Shahab Khan and representatives of business community were also present.

For the first time, Nasir Shah said, federal and provincial governments, the Supreme Court, and development agencies are on the same page for development of the city. "We also have good support from all the stakeholders of the city," he added. He also requested the federal government to help rain-hit people of interior Sindh.

"People of Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad and Benazirabad have suffered severe losses due to torrential rains in the province," he informed. He also thanked KCCI for its philanthropic activities for the people of Sindh. Sindh Minister for Industries and Commerce Jam Ikramullah Dharejo said that rains had wreaked havoc in the province but the provincial government had maintained its focus during torrential rains in the province.

He said that the provincial government is making all out efforts to improve the infrastructure of the city. He, however, expressed his displeasure over the cut in provincial share by the federal government. "Sindh is not getting its due share as the province is facing a shortfall of Rs250 million".

Chairman BMG Siraj Kassam Teli said that a timeline should be given to development agencies to complete the uplift work of Karachi in stipulated time. "FWO and NDA are well equipped and capable of fixing the infrastructural mess of the city," he added. Teli also praised the policy of the Sindh government to deal with Covid-19. He also announced 5000 ration bags for the rain-hit people of Sindh.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020