October 07, 2008

PQA to help developing Port Qasim Industrial Zones

Mr Syed Afzal chairman of Port Qasim Authority, while addressing at an oath taking ceremony of Port Qasim Association of Trade & Industry managing committee for 2008, said that Port Qasim Authority would help develop basic infrastructure in the Port Qasim Industrial Zones.

Mr Afzal said that PQA would build 10 more berths taking the figure to 20 by 2010 to increase the handling capacity of the port. He added that “We have allocated PKR 10 billion for infrastructure development of Port Qasim Industrial Zones.”

He said that Port Qasim has been prospering rapidly and especially the development in last three year was particularly important apart from that the industrial areas of PQA have also developed at a very good pace. It would take into account the basic infrastructure problems of PQATI such as potable water, sewage and roads. He added that “We would resolve all the genuine problems of Port Qasim Industrial Zones and to enhance the law and orders situation we have decided to increase our private security patrolling.”

Mr Ilyas Khanani founder chairman of Port Qasim Association of Trade & Industry said that “The PQATI members have recorded growth of over 15 per cent in 2006-07 compared to preceding year despite unsatisfactory political conditions. Infrastructure and law and order are the core problems of PQATI, but sewage remains the biggest problem of PQATI. We pursued the chairman of PQA and he assured us that sewage system for the North Western Industrial Area of PQA is in advance stages.”

Mr Khanani said that “Fortunately, PQATI was safe in the aftermath of December 2007 riots and there was no law and order and order problem occurred in the area. We have made our own security arrangements to guard the industrial zone that lacks a boundary wall. PQA and PQATI are partners in progress of industrial output and national economy. We feel that PQA should focus on port operations to improve our national corridor scheme.”