Business community should suggest viable and workable proposals so that these could be implemented without any inordinate delay for the comprehensive, systematic and scientific uplift of the city, said Divisional Commissioner Momin Agha.
Talking to a delegation of Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI), the commissioner said that the business community should focus on selective but important issues like environment, education and technical training etc so that result-oriented strategies could be evolved. He further said that a comprehensive structure has been developed to bring a qualitative improvement in the overall governance and delivery of services. The creation of environmental protection department, WASA, Solid Waste Management and Parks & Horticulture Authority in addition to introducing new laws relation to regulate the businesses of Hilal Meat and Food etc are actually the continuity of government's efforts to further strengthen and streamlines the entire system. He said that irrigation of vegetables with sewerage water has been brought to an end with the active intervention of Punjab Food Authority. "However; waste water treatment plants have been proposed on eastern side of the city", he said and added that one of these would be set up near Kurrianwala on Muddoanna drain.
He said that Faisalabad is basically an industrial, commercial and business hub of Pakistan. In order to survive in the fast changing global environment, we needs technological upgradation and for this purpose skilled manpower is imperative and we must establish maximum technical and vocational training centers in this city.
Regarding the idea of 'Theme Parks' Commissioner said that these parks could be established in Gattwala and Kaleem Shaheed Park where a vast area is readily available. Moreover, a lake better than Rawal Dam could also be developed in Gattwala park. He further said that if FCCI is interested in this project, the divisional Administer could further process it. Talking about the mega projects for Faisalabad, he said that 2-3 more underpasses along Canal Road have been proposed. Moreover a state of the art Golf Course could also be developed in M3 Industrial Estate. He promised to take into consideration the metro bus project in Faisalabad and said that Faisalabad Development Authority is currently preparing a master plan for the futuristic, planned and systematic development of this city. "FCCI must give its input being a real stakeholder of this city", he added.
Regarding allocation of funds for Faisalabad, Commissioner, Momin Agha said that these are allocated on project basis and hence we must propose maximum projects to get highest funding. He hoped that FCCI should also contribute its role in getting maximum funds by helping administration to submit public welfare projects.
Shabbir Hussain Chawla President FCCI said that issues like Industrial Waste Water Treatment, Expo Centre, IT University and training of skilled workers need the immediate attention of the government.
Former President Mian Javaid Iqbal said that the business community has established many organizations and institutes like Dry Port, Value Addition City, FIEDMC, Hilal Ahmar Hospital and Vocational Training Institutes in Faisalabad in addition to fulfilling their social corporate responsibility. He said the credit to make Faisalabad International Airport functional also goes to the FCCI. He further said that right now the FCCI President Shabbir Hussain Chawla and Rizwan Ashraf are members of FESCO and FWMC Board of Directors and are rendering their recommendatory services for the betterment of these organizations. He also gave the suggestion of a long term plan of Green Faisalabad to control the environmental pollution. He also underlined the need to impart technical and vocational training to local youth so that it could be utilized efficiently in local industries in addition to exporting them to the potential international markets.
He also gave the suggestion of Theme Park for the recreation of people and proposed to organize road shows to attract the organizations already working in this sector. He further said that Faisalabad is a big market that is why international brands are now coming to Faisalabad to tap its potential.
Former President Engineer Rizwan Ashraf stressed the need to launch maximum development projects in rural areas in order to discourage migration of people from rural to urban areas.
Divisional commissioner assured to constitute a committee including representatives of all government departments in addition to the leaders of the business community including President FCCI Shabbir Hussain Chawla, Mian Javaid Iqbal and Engineer Rizwan Ashraf. The mandate of this committee will also to solve the problems of the business community to top priority basis.
The meeting was also attended by Senior Vice President Sheikh Farooq Yusuf, Nominated Vice President Usman Rauf, Secretary General Abid Masood and Additional Commissioner Mr. Shafqat Ullah Mushtaq.