Zulfikarabad to bring a revolution in Sindh, says CM
It will convert deserted landscape of Haleji and Kohistan into resorts and horticultural and residential areas
Jamshoro power station. PHOTO: ONLINE
KARACHI:
The establishment of the new residential, industrial and recreational city of Zulfikarabad between twin districts of Sujawal and Thatta will bring about a revolution in residential and commercial activities in the province, said Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, adding that it will provide easy access to the coal rich Tharparkar district.
He was presiding over a meeting on the proposed city at CM House on Tuesday. Chief secretary Siddique Memon, principal secretary to CM Alamuddin Bullo, Board of Revenue senior member Rizwan Memon, additional chief secretary for development Mohammad Waseem, irrigation secretary Zaheer Hyder Shah and others attended the meeting.
Zulfikarabad Development Authority (ZDA) managing director Ali Mumtaz Zaidi, while giving a presentation to the chief minister, proposed an alternative site of Haleji-Kohistan area, spreading over 60,000 acres, for Zulfikarabad city as it is close to the National and Super highways. He added that it will carry the distinction of becoming the first city of the province that offers a lake view. The development of the new city will convert the deserted landscape of Haleji and Kohistan into resorts and horticultural and residential areas, said Zaidi.
SC questions why funds for Zulfikarabad Oil Terminal not released as yet
Zaidi also proposed a cargo airport in private sector along the lines of Sialkot private cargo airport for the new city. He added that Karachi is getting more populated with each passing day, posing enormous problems to the citizens. He was of the view that planners should think about lessening the population pressure.
The economic zone of Zulfikarabad city has already been designated at Shah Bandar, Kharochhan, on the east of River Indus. The possibility of establishing a port and shipyard at Keti Bandar on the west of River Indus was also discussed during the presentation. The chief minister said that he has urged the federal government to include Keti Bandar sea port project into the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. "I hope it will be included [considering] its strategic, geographic and commercial importance," he said.
New Provinces: Palijo opposes MQM demand for division of Sindh
During the presentation, it was also proposed that the site of the 44-kilometre-long Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Expressway and six-kilometre-long bridge on River Indus from Dhandhari be shifted to Ghoranabri, connecting the economically vibrant area of Mirpur Sakro on the west of River Indus to Chuhar Jamali lying on the east of River Indus. According to the presentation, this will provide easy access between the remote areas of Thatta and the urban areas of Karachi and reduce the distance of Sujawal, Badin and Tharparakar to Karachi.
The chief minister directed the finance minister to explore ways and means to develop the proposed Zulfikarabad city and its industrial area and recreational sites through Public-Private Partnership. Endorsing the presentation, Shah ordered the constitution of a committee headed by the finance minister, with MNAs and MPAs of Thatta and Sujawal, local government minister, Zulfikarabad Development Authority managing director and others as part of the committee. The committee was directed to file its recommendations within three weeks.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 15th, 2016.
The establishment of the new residential, industrial and recreational city of Zulfikarabad between twin districts of Sujawal and Thatta will bring about a revolution in residential and commercial activities in the province, said Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, adding that it will provide easy access to the coal rich Tharparkar district.
He was presiding over a meeting on the proposed city at CM House on Tuesday. Chief secretary Siddique Memon, principal secretary to CM Alamuddin Bullo, Board of Revenue senior member Rizwan Memon, additional chief secretary for development Mohammad Waseem, irrigation secretary Zaheer Hyder Shah and others attended the meeting.
Zulfikarabad Development Authority (ZDA) managing director Ali Mumtaz Zaidi, while giving a presentation to the chief minister, proposed an alternative site of Haleji-Kohistan area, spreading over 60,000 acres, for Zulfikarabad city as it is close to the National and Super highways. He added that it will carry the distinction of becoming the first city of the province that offers a lake view. The development of the new city will convert the deserted landscape of Haleji and Kohistan into resorts and horticultural and residential areas, said Zaidi.
SC questions why funds for Zulfikarabad Oil Terminal not released as yet
Zaidi also proposed a cargo airport in private sector along the lines of Sialkot private cargo airport for the new city. He added that Karachi is getting more populated with each passing day, posing enormous problems to the citizens. He was of the view that planners should think about lessening the population pressure.
The economic zone of Zulfikarabad city has already been designated at Shah Bandar, Kharochhan, on the east of River Indus. The possibility of establishing a port and shipyard at Keti Bandar on the west of River Indus was also discussed during the presentation. The chief minister said that he has urged the federal government to include Keti Bandar sea port project into the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. "I hope it will be included [considering] its strategic, geographic and commercial importance," he said.
New Provinces: Palijo opposes MQM demand for division of Sindh
During the presentation, it was also proposed that the site of the 44-kilometre-long Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Expressway and six-kilometre-long bridge on River Indus from Dhandhari be shifted to Ghoranabri, connecting the economically vibrant area of Mirpur Sakro on the west of River Indus to Chuhar Jamali lying on the east of River Indus. According to the presentation, this will provide easy access between the remote areas of Thatta and the urban areas of Karachi and reduce the distance of Sujawal, Badin and Tharparakar to Karachi.
The chief minister directed the finance minister to explore ways and means to develop the proposed Zulfikarabad city and its industrial area and recreational sites through Public-Private Partnership. Endorsing the presentation, Shah ordered the constitution of a committee headed by the finance minister, with MNAs and MPAs of Thatta and Sujawal, local government minister, Zulfikarabad Development Authority managing director and others as part of the committee. The committee was directed to file its recommendations within three weeks.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 15th, 2016.