Business leaders welcome appointment of new Sindh governor

Urge Tessori to address longstanding concerns of Karachi businesspeople

KARACHI:

Various business leaders, on Monday, urged the new Governor of Sindh, Kamran Khan Tessori, to sit with the business community at the earliest to settle long standing issues confronting the businesspeople of Karachi. The President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), Irfan Iqbal Sheikh said, “Karachi is the business, financial, trade and economic hub of the country and we welcome the decision to appoint a governor who understands the intricacies of creating a conducive business and investment sentiment.”

While talking about the cost of doing business he said, “We have high hopes from him to pull the city out of the mess created by maladministration, corruption and neglect.” Outlining the needs of the business community, Sheikh said, “As a first, law and order in the commercial and industrial centres of Karachi need to be restored,” adding that capital and investments are the first things that flow out of troubled areas. He also urged that K-Electric (KE) be made to comply with fair practices in electricity supply, “Industrial areas should be exempt from load shedding and overbilling should be completely stopped.”

Talking about the impact of the city’s infrastructure on businesses he said that the “road and sewerage infrastructure needs immediate repair,” adding that “the city is in dire need for a better, more affordable and reliable public transport system to cater to over 200 million people, thousands of factories and bazaars sprawled across the metropolitan.”

Pinning hopes on Tessori’s experience, the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) Patronin-Chief SM Muneer and President Farazur Rehman said, “The new governor is well aware of the problems faced by the people of Karachi and the business community has always demanded that people who understand grass root problems be appointed to important government positions.” While some celebrated the new entrant, others expressed disappointment and believed the reins of decision-making lay in the hands of other officials.