Chief Minister (CM) Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Thursday formed a committee to work on the rehabilitation of traders affected by arsoning of various markets on M. A. Jinnah Road. He set up the committee on a suggestion of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) at a meeting with the office bearers and representatives of traders, businessmen and KCCI at CM House.
At the outset the CM acknowledged the miseries of people affected by tragic incident on Youm-e-Ashur. He particularly emphasised for quick relief of the affectees and sought all out co-operation of KCCI. He called for appropriate action and measures on war footings. The committee comprised five members of KCCI, one nominee each of CM and Governor Sindh, Home Secretary, a nominee of Nadra, nominee of Ministry of Finance and DCO Karachi as its members. The committee will be headed by Advisor to Chief Minister for Investment Zubair Motiwala.
Syed Qaim Ali Shah stressed that every decision be taken in consultation with and in the presence of representatives of respective markets and said that transparency be maintained in the entire relief process. He asked the committee to start work as early as possible.
It was decided to create "Chief Minister's December 28, 2009 Victims Relief Fund" besides appealing the philanthropists across the country for contributing to this fund. It was also decided to form a committee to be named as "Government of Sindh/KCCI-M. A Jinnah Road Victims Relief committee".
It was agreed that affectees of incidents would be categorised as total loss, partial loss and persons with minor loss. The total loss category will be of those, who had lost everything including their buildings. The CM said they would be assisted first and temporarily shifted to railway ground at I.I. Chundrigar Road and start business in cabins, which were constructed by City District Government Karachi.
It was decided to immediately arrange basic requirements of water, electricity and sewerage there and CM assured that concerned departments would be directed accordingly to take necessary action. The five-member KCCI committee includes CM's Advisor Zubair Motiwala, KCCI President Abdul Majeed Haji Muhammad, President All Pakistan Memon Federation, Ahmed Chenoy, KCCI Senior Vice-President Rashiduddin and Vice-President Javed Vohra.
The meeting was attended among others by Sindh Minister for Katchi Abadis Engineer Rafiq, Advisors Zubair Motiwala, Rashid Rabbani, Special Assistant Waqar Mehdi, President PPP Karachi Division Najmi Alam, General Secretary Saeed Ghani besides Siraj Kasim Teli. On the occasion Siraj Kasim Teli, Ahmed Chenoy and Zubair Motiwala congratulated the CM on the signing of NFC Award after 19 years.