Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (KCCI) former president Siraj Kasim Teli has said that the local government laws of Pervez Musharaf's era were much better than the present law. Speaking at a press conference at launch of KCCI 13the Exhibition "My Karachi - Oasis of Harmony", he said: "Musharraf regime's local government laws were 60 to 70 fit and during that period the local government institutions gave better results."
Emphasising the need for making the law result-oriented through some minor amendments in the existing local government laws, he opined that bureaucrats and political parties make amendments in law for their own benefits, ignoring the interests of general public. Replying to a question about Ranger' power, he said that the provincial government has already given special power to the Rangers by curtailing some.
He was, however, of the view that some agencies must be directed to act against those government officials, members of political parties who violate law and indulge in corruption. He informed newsmen that the KCCI has bought a plot, measuring 2,600 sq yards, for its new building at a cost of around Rs 450million near Teen Talwar from its own resources.
About the KCCI's exhibition which is schedule to be held from March 25 to 27, 2016, he said that the exhibition which will continue for three days will provide an ideal platform for Business-to-Business and Business-to-Consumer meetings, besides providing recreational facilities to Karachiites.
Highlighting the successful journey of the KCCI's exhibition, KCCI President Younus Muhammad Bashir recalled that during the tenure of Siraj Kasim Teli as KCCI chief in 2004, he felt there was a need to remove the negative perception about Karachi, mainly created by the media, particularly the western media.
"It was at that time that I decided to organise an exhibition to portray the soft and positive image of Karachi city which is the financial and economic hub of Pakistan, contributing more than 68 per cent revenue to the national exchequer," he said, adding that the exhibition since 2004 has succeeded in achieving nation-wide and international recognition.
He said that "My Karachi" Exhibition kept on improving every year due to untiring efforts of Teli. Consequently, it has expanded from three halls in 2004 to all the six halls of Karachi Expo Centre. KCCI has been regularly organising this exhibition without any commercial objective, but with a vision to promote the positive image of Karachi and the tag line of 'Made in Pakistan' world-wide, he added.