Zubair Motiwala, patron of the Site Association of Industry (SAI) and president Suleman Chawla have expressed their confidence on the federal and Sindh governments' measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus but also showed deep concern over the growing industrial crisis in Karachi.
In an emergency meeting, Zubair Motiwala and Suleman Chawla demanded the Chief Minister to visit the site area for personal observation, issuing the orders as they have taken excellent steps in many areas in improving the quality of life and solve the problems of the people of Karachi.
SAI leaders while praising the efforts of the Chief Minister Sindh for prevention of coronavirus, said that industrialists realizing their obligations and responsibilities towards the coronavirus spread and minimizing its impact on human lives in general and of the labourers.
All the labourers while entering the premises, undergo a check-up of their body temperature and only those with normal temperature, are allowed to work, while labourers have been provided with the protective masks to wear and sanitizer stands are also available at entry points and sprays at working place, they said.
SAI leaders said that in view of the current scenario, hygiene is of utmost importance for workers in SITE area. Zubair Motiwala said that it is expected that there will be a severe liquidity crisis in the coming days and months, so the industrialists appeal that interest on loans including profits sharing on Islamic instruments may be frozen for a period required.
Moreover, all long-term and short-term maturities be pushed back by three months. Motiwala proposed to prompt release of income tax and sales tax refunds and DLTL claims. He said all banks should give one-year extension on repayment of all dues and duty rationalization on import of raw material used in exports.
Zubair Motiwala said that wholesale markets have been closed since Thursday and industrialists believe that this is not a right step as wholesale markets don't have that kind of congestion. If markets remain shut ultimately industries will suffer and cannot continue its operation.
He also referred to the retrospective ISPA charges for July to December 2019 is illegal as it is a closed and past transaction. He urged that the federal government should withdraw corrigendum dated 22nd January, 2020 of SRO 575/(I) 2019 dated 22nd May, 2019.
Suleman Chawla appealed to the Sindh Chief Minister to take immediate action and order for repair of sewerage system and roads. He also requested the Government of Sindh to freeze the collection of all provincial levies such as SRB, SESSI, EOBI, professional tax etc with immediate effect.
Chawla also appealed the federal government that if they desire industries to keep running their operations, then they should come to the rescue of the industries.
He further said that it is a kind of the locked down condition. As such, the flow of money has almost come to a halt and severe liquidity crisis situation will be created. Therefore, it would not be possible for the industrialists to discharge their liabilities towards paying gas, electricity and water bills as well as payment of sales tax, income tax, EOBI, WHT and many other federal taxes and levies.
SVP Saleem Nagaria, VP Farhan Ashrafi, Saleem Parekh, Younus Bashir, Jawed Bilwani, Tariq Yousuf, Imran Sikandar and other members attended the meeting.