Sindh to challenge federal govt in CCI against LNG import: CM

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has said Sindh will challenge the federal government in the Council of Common Interests (CCI) against LNG import, because the federation did not consult Sindh and was not giving the province its proper share in natural gas.
Sindh CM was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 12th My Karachi-Oasis of Harmony Exhibition at Expo Centre on Friday. The three-day exhibition (April 10-12) is being organised by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
Shah said that with 60 percent of the industry in Karachi, the city was the industrial hub of the country and needed energy badly.
He said they were working in harmony with the federal government, which said that natural resources would be divided among provinces on equality bases. “We produce 70 percent of the gas and hardly get 30 percent, that is not equitable,” Shah said.
“We said use it where there is shortage of gas.” Shah said they were talking as per the constitution and had already conveyed the matter to the federal government. Shah said that Sindh would further move to the CCI for which the support of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and KCCI was needed.
The CM said Karachi having cultural, business and political importance should remain very clean, for which it required support from both the business community and the government. “You are taking ownership of Karachi, so you have to look after it not only to maintain law and order but also to develop it and bring it at par with advanced countries,” he said.
The minister said they wanted an end to the curse of water theft. “We want to take up mega projects like ending up shortage of water,” he said, adding that the K4 water project was pending for the past 20-25 years.
The project finance was divided at 50 percent between the Sindh and federal government. “We are waiting for the federal government to release funds,” he said.
Shah said he was informed that stalls of 19 foreign countries were established at the exhibition, but he wished that one day, 90 percent of all member countries of the United Nations come to Karachi and exhibit their products.
Highlighting the successful journey of My Karachi Exhibition, Businessmen Group Chairman and former president KCCI Siraj Kassam Teli recalled that during his tenure as KCCI president in 2004, he felt there was a need to clarify the negative perception about Karachi.
“Thus, 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,” he said.
Karachi was still much better than many cities of the world in crime rate, Teli said. However, he wished Karachi to become a city of 1970s and 80s when one could roam freely without any fear of law and order.
Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Chief Executive SM Muneer said he was head of the government body which was supposed to increase the exports of Pakistan. “Even, there is no water in my factory and I am the chief of exports, how can I increase my export target,” he asked. “I buy water stolen from my factory for Rs60,000 per day.”
Talking about the operation against criminal elements in the city, he said he was a pessimist three months ago, but now has become optimistic regarding the law and order situation.
KCCI former president Zubair Motiwala said that people from 19 countries had installed their stalls at the exhibition. He said Karachi was larger than 80 countries in the world. “We want to show international people to see what we are manufacturing here,” he said. “This is a vibrant city and we want business.”
Motiwala said if infrastructure, especially gas, electricity water supply, was developed, Pakistan’s exports could reach to $50 billion annually.
KCCI President Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra welcomed the guests and said they received full support from the Sindh government, TDAP and law enforcement agencies. He said these exhibitions were playing a significant role for the betterment of the economy.
More than 300 stalls have been established by manufacturers and traders at the six halls of the Expo Centre.