Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has approved a 500-acre 'Garments City' and a 500-acre 'Powerlooms Estate' in Site Area, Hyderabad, on the proposal of Provincial Assembly members from Hyderabad. This would be the largest garments city in Pakistan which would spur economic growth in the city. Power looms in Hyderabad city will be moved to the Estate so as to get equitable facilities like other industries.
This was stated by Ali Ahmed Loond, Provincial Secretary for Commerce and Industries, while addressing a dinner-reception organised by Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Site MD Manzoor Ahmed, and Abdul Rasheed Solangi, MD Sindh Small Industries Corporation also accompanied him in the visit.
Replying the address of welcome by Azizuddin Arain, President of HCCI, he instructed M.D Site to allot industrial plots in Site Phase-II as soon as possible, as promised by the Provincial Minister for Commerce and Industries. He agreed with the argument raised by HCCI members on similar price structure of Site Phase-II with that of Karachi, Kotri and Nooriabad industrial zones.
He also said that the tenders for development of Site Phase-II have been issued and the work would start immediately. The secretary instructed MD Site to speed up the construction of water filter plant. MD Site agreed to the points raised by HCCI members on the deteriorating conditions of roads and sewerage system in Site Area, Hyderabad.
He also said that Site would make every possible effort to modernise the industrial area. On the issue of encroachment, the secretary said that he would make every effort to curb encroachment in industrial sites. Earlier, Azizuddin Arain, President of HCCI said in his welcome address that HCCI members have deposited a sum of Rs 25.568 million for allotment of industrial plots in Site Phase-II, but to no avail.
He alleged Site was not co-operating with industrialists and it seems that the authorities don't want to develop industries at Hyderabad. He demanded the allotment of industrial plots as per requirements of industrialists. Masood Perviaz, former president of HCCI, Muhammad Yaqoob, Abdul Razzaq Memon, Emmad Siddiqui and Mehmood Ahmed said that MD Site should resolve industry problems on priority basis.
Mazharul Haq, Tenant Director, Site Kotri, said that similar price structure should be set for plots in Site Phase-II as that of plots in Karachi, Kotri and Nooriabad. He also said that development expenditure on Site Phase-II should be borne by government. All industrialists present on the occasion expressed outrage on problems concerning water, sewerage, encroachment and fire brigade.
They urged MD Site for availability of facilities in the industrial area. Ikram Rajput, Vice President of HCCI, presented vote of thanks to the secretary. Saman Mall, Altaf Memon, Prem Chand, Sikandar Rajput, Dolat Ram, Nadeem Siddiqui, Farooq Sheikhani, Abdul Rehman Rajput and Iqbal Ghosia were also present on the occasion.