The years long deprivation of the people in various sectors of life would take time to address and the present government, which is the true reflection of the peoples' voice is striving hard to provide maximum facilities within shortest possible time by launching numbers of public oriented projects particularly the energy sector.
The Acting Governor Sindh Nisar Ahmed Khuhro while addressing the business community of Hyderabad during his visit to the secretariat of Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Thursday afternoon expressed these views. Terming the last 12 years before the commencement of the present government as dark regime for the countrymen, the Acting Governor said that no public oriented project was launched in the country resulting severe crisis in different sectors of life particularly in energy sector.
The neighbouring country India is producing 6000 megawatts through windmills energy as compared to only 2 megawatts being produced in Pakistan, he said and added that lack of planning in overcoming power shortage during the period dictatorial regime finally brought the countrymen at the stage where they are experiencing hours long power outage.
Recalling the efforts of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in her second tenure of the government of inviting foreign investor for installation of 5000 megawatts Thar Coal Power Project, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro said that after dissolution of her government, the than rulers folded the project by discouraging the investor and since than the exploitation of Thar coal was remained suspended which later re-initiated by the present government. After Ghazi Brotha Hydal Power Project launching by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, no other hydal project was carried out in the country, he added.
The present government now prepared a plan for coal power production from Thar Coal and engaged different firms for the purpose, he said and added that a 500 megawatts coal power plants would be established soon by Engro Pakistan in one of the blocks of Thar Coal.
He said that the energy crisis could not be overcome in one night, however, the countrymen would enjoy the fruits when the power projects would be completed and started power production to meet the increasing demand according to population growth. The Acting Governor appreciated the efforts of the management of Hamdard University Karachi for making projects of windmills and solar energy adding that these projects would help in production of alternate energy on cheap rates.
Commenting on the industrial development, the Acting Governor agreed that without the development of infrastructure and provision of all required facility through one window operation, the task of the industrial development could not be achieved. However, he said that the government has initiated numbers of step for rapid industrial development in Sindh province adding that the industrial development would ultimately reduce the unemployment and help in bringing a progressive society in the province.
About law and order situation, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro said that though efforts made by the present government are providing positive results, however, he said that strict vigil always required to maintain the law and order situation on permanent basis.
There is the need of competency and perfection in the Police department with provision of state of the art equipment so that the Police could effectively counter the anti-state activities and accordingly maintain the rule of law in the province, he said and added that fruitful results in providing better infrastructure could only be possible to achieve when law and order situation maintained accordingly.
Responding to the demand of the launching of air-cargo service from Hyderabad, the Acting Governor expressed his deep regrets over eight years long closure of air service from Hyderabad Airport adding that Hyderabad is the gateway of Sindh and it should have the air cargo facility for export of fruits and vegetables abroad. There is a need of establishing processing plants so that fruits and vegetables of the province could meet the demand of the international market, he added.
Responding to problems of the business community of Hyderabad particularly undeveloped infrastructure in SITE Hyderabad as well as the establishment of Common Facility Centre, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro assured that he would discuss the issue with Sindh Minister for Industries Abdul Rauf Siddiqui for redress of genuine demand of the business community.
He said that after passage of 18th Amendment, the 1973 Constitution has been restored in its original shape after 27 years as the subjects, which were the part of concurrent list now being handed over to provinces. Similarly, the passage of National Finance Commission Award after 19 years gape would also help in boosting the economy of the provinces, he said and added that by making such revolutionary steps, the present government has gained success in overcoming the sense of deprivation of the people of the country.
Earlier, the President Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Seth Goharullah in his welcome address appreciated the efforts being made by the government for industrial development and also highlighted the problems being faced by the business community of Hyderabad of having no proper infrastructure in the SITE.