The Karachi Chamber and all seven industrial town associations have unanimously resolved that Karachi's entire Business & Industrial Community will not remain silent anymore but would surely raise strong voice under KCCI's umbrella to get the common issues resolved which are being suffered since long only due to sheer negligence of all three tiers of the government including federal, provincial and local governments.
"If the government fails to pay attention to our demands, particularly those pertaining to improving the dilapidated infrastructure in all industrial zones of Karachi and provision of uninterrupted gas, electricity and water supplies, the business & industrial community will vocally criticize the government and also come out on streets to protest till all our valid demands are fulfilled", Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Site Association of Industry (SAI), Korangi Association of Trade & Industry (KATI), Landhi Association of Trade & Industry (LATI), Federal B. Area Association of Trade & Industry (FBATI), North Karachi Association of Trade & Industry (NKATI), Bin Qasim Association of Trade & Industry (BQATI), Site Superhighway Association of Trade & Industry (SSATI) resolved at a meeting held at Karachi Chamber.
Speaking on the occasion, General Secretary BMG AQ Khalil said that a misconception has emerged as many industrialists feel that KCCI takes up the issues of small traders and commercial importers only whereas the small traders are of the opinion that the chamber pays attention to industries only. "Both are wrong as KCCI has been paying equal attention to all the issues either being faced by small traders, commercial importers or by any industrialist without any discrimination", he added.
He stressed that all the industrial town associations and other stakeholders will have to make collective efforts as individual efforts would never yield positive results. "We will have to exhibit unity and stay united under KCCI's umbrella to get the issues resolved. It is really unfortunate that despite contributing more than 70 percent revenue to the national exchequer, Karachi is constantly being ignored which is not acceptable hence we all have to join hands and urge the government to pay attention to the issues of Karachi", he added.
President KCCI Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan stated that the reason for summoning today's meeting with all industrial town associations was to discuss the general economic issues and common problems being suffered by the entire business community of Karachi and accordingly devise strategies strictly in consultation with all stake holders. He also underscored that all industrial town associations must make collective efforts to fight for the rights of the entire business community. "We will surely become an indispensable force but we all have to join hands in larger interest of not just Karachi but the entire country", he added.
Focal Person of KCCI's Committee to Maintain Liaison with Industrial Town Associations and Former President KCCI Junaid Esmail Makda said the need to focus on some particular issues first and timely raise voice to get them resolved. KCCI and all Industrial Town Associations must work closely to compile a comprehensive document carrying recommendations for Industrial Policy as the government nowadays is in the process of outlining the Industrial Policy, he said, adding that all stakeholders must give their input at today's meeting which will be followed by a series of more such meetings on monthly basis so that strategies could be devised on how to convince the government to announce a pro-business industrial policy and pay special attention to all the issues of Karachi.
Speaking on the occasion, Former Senior Vice President KCCI Jawed Bilwani stated, "All the ills being faced by Karachi were only due to the fact that we remained silent, allowed the situation to get worse and it is going to worsen further in the days to come. We will have to fight for our rights, come out on streets and hold protests until all our valid demands are met. This is the only way to seek government's attention otherwise things will continue to get worst."
President FBATI Abdullah Abid pointed out that the biggest issue was the lack of clear policy differentiating industries from traders and commercial importers that create a lot of problems for both the business segments and it must be addressed in the next Industrial Policy.
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