KARACHI? Patron-in-Chief of KATI and United Business Group, has said that media is the fourth and most important pillar of the country and plays vital role in raising the voice of business community which is effectively reaching the government and higher authorities. Those who are not paying taxes in the national exchequer are making noise against the federal budget. We believe that Finance Minister Shaukat Tareen has given a balanced budget. However, the FBR should not take a hard line on the business community. FBR should run an awareness campaign to facilitate Businessmen.
Sindh government should pay serious attention to the deteriorating condition of roads and infrastructure in the city, including the industrial zone. The Water Board is rife with corruption, the most important government institutions should be handed over to the private sector.
They expressed these views while addressing a brunch in honor of the members and officials of the Council of Economic and Energy Journalists (CEEJ) at the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI).
KATI President Saleem-uz-Zaman, KITE Limited Chief Executive Officer Zubair Chhaya, Media Standing Committee Chairman Johar Ali Qandahari, Senior Vice President Zaki Sharif, Vice President Nighat Awan, CEEJ President Raja Kamran and Secretary Kashif Munir also addressed the gathering. While Masood Naqi, Farhan-ur-Rehman, Ehtesham Uddin and others were also present.
SM Muneer said that Pakistan’s economy is getting stronger and in two months Pakistan will take off economically. We should all collectively support Prime Minister Imran Khan to strengthen the economy. We salute the struggle of the Pakistan Army who sacrificed their lives to protect the citizen, we are breathing a sigh of relief because of the brave soldiers of the Pakistan Army.
President KATI Saleem-uz-Zaman said that media of any country improves the society of that country, with proper use of media we can make a change. He apprised the role of Korangi Industrial Area in the development of the country and said that KATI is the largest industrial zone of the country with more than 5,000 industries. There are three major oil refineries operating here while a complete Sector 7-A is operating for leather business in the cut zone. Our area is accumulating Rs. 600 million daily in the national treasury.
“We provide facilities to our members and under the patronage of SM Muneer, our members have full confidence in KATI’s leadership,” said President KATI. There are 40 standing committees working in KATI while a strong team led by Zubair Chhaya, CEO of KITE Limited is also active for the development of the industrial area.
Paying homage to the media, Saleem-uz-Zaman said that media is our front line warrior and we are happy and satisfied that the media is highlighting the activities of KATI. We will continue to work for the development of the country through mutual cooperation.
Zubair Chhaya, CEO KITE Limited, said that under the patronage of SM Muneer, KATI’s bouquet has been working for 32 years. The Korangi Industrial Area was established in 1960 and even after 62 years, the infrastructure is ruined due to the breakdown of institutions and systems, the institutions are fighting among themselves, the system is in ruins and the people of Karachi are suffering.
The water board has become a mafia, water is not provided to industries and houses but water from tankers is being sold. If Pakistan is to be run successfully, it has to be strengthened by making decisions in favor of Karachi. There will never be a New Pakistan if we deduct Karachi from it.
Johar Ali Qandahari said that the Sindh government has created problems for the industrialists by raising the minimum wage to Rs 25,000 even though the federation had fixed a salary of Rs 20,000.
He said that at present the construction sector is facing difficulties due to rising prices of cement and cement. Due to Covid19, the government scheme for construction sector could not benefit significantly so the government should extend this scheme for one more year.
