Sindh, federal govt discuss steel mill revival

Plans include setting up industrial park on PSM land, introducing new regulatory authority for food, animal, and plan

KARACHI:

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research (NFSR) and Industries & Production, Rana Tanveer, met at the New Sindh Secretariat to discuss several key initiatives, including the establishment of an industrial park on Pakistan Steel Mill (PSM) land, the revival of the steel mill, and the creation of a National Food Safety, Animal, and Plant Health Regulatory Authority.

The meeting was attended by Provincial Minister for Industries Jam Ikram Dharejo, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, and SMBR Baqaullah Unar, while Rana Tanveer was accompanied by Federal Secretary NFSR Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry, DG Waqas Alam, and CEO PIDC Rizwan Bhatti.

Discussions centred on creating an industrial park on 3,200 acres of PSM land, currently registered under Pakistan Steel Mills Limited (PSML). Federal Minister Rana Tanveer suggested the land designation be changed to "Industrial Use." It was agreed that the federal ministry would formally request this change to allow the Sindh government to proceed with documentation.

The chief minister highlighted that 1,675 acres allocated to PSML in 1974-75 for the steel project still lacked a formal title transfer. He assured the federal minister of resolving this issue. Additionally, Murad Ali Shah emphasised preserving 700 acres for either reviving the current steel mill or establishing a new facility. Tanveer shared that a Russian team had inspected the existing plant and would submit a proposal for a new plant installation in February.

On the National Food Safety, Animal, and Plant Health Regulatory Authority, the federal minister explained its goal: implementing quarantine and inspection controls for imports and exports of animals, plants, agricultural products, food, and feed. The chief minister suggested broader consultations with provincial departments, including Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food Authorities, and called for stronger provincial representation in the authority.

The meeting concluded with commitments to enhance coordination to ensure timely execution of the industrial park and steel mill projects. The federal ministry will also seek input from Sindh's Agriculture and Livestock Department regarding the proposed National Food Safety, Animal, and Plant Health Regulatory Authority.