Paralysing the economy: PM wants an end to strikes in Karachi

Says even if a fly dies, strike is called; all mafias will be smashed.

Perturbed over frequent strikes in the commercial capital of the country, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that “even if a fly dies, strike is called in Karachi” and this ‘culture of strikes’ has severely damaged the national economy. He has pledged to smash all mafias in Karachi and unmask their patrons.

“We cannot afford strikes. Pakistan can prosper only if we put an end to the ‘culture of strikes’,” the premier said on Friday while addressing the 38th exports awards distribution ceremony of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).

“Politicians should solve their problems through talks,” he said, adding that his government in the Centre has introduced a culture of APCs [all parties’ conferences] in order to tackle national challenges through a broad-based national approach.

The premier said his government wanted countrywide development without any discrimination. Metro Bus, K-4 water supply scheme, Lyari Expressway and many other development projects would be initiated in Karachi, he added.

“Work on Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway would commence in the next few days. The project was launched earlier but it took some time to streamline the things and start the work,” he said. The motorway would be first extended to Sukkur and then to Multan, Lahore and Peshawar. “Karachi and Peshawar will be linked through the motorway within the shortest possible time,” he pledged.

Premier Nawaz said the Thar coal would be used for power generation instead of depending on the imported commodity. Coal for some power plants would be imported till the time the Thar fields started production at commercial level, he added.

“Today, I want to give good news to Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah. We will use Thar coal in coal-fired power plants in the country,” he said addressing to the Sindh chief minister, who was also present at the FPCCI event.

Premier Nawaz said China’s planned investment of $46 billion under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) showed its confidence in Pakistan’s economy, which was moving in the right direction, he said, adding that the enemies were trying to create hurdles in the execution of CPEC, but their designs would not succeed.

Premier Nawaz assured the business community his government wanted maximum participation of the private sector in economic and development activities. The government, he said, had always consulted the business community before taking any decision on the national economy.

To a demand of the FPCCI President Mian Muhammad Adrees, Premier Nawaz announced to re-constitute Business Advisory Council under his chairmanship. Later, he distributed FPCCI export trophies and awards among the winners.

Governor House meeting

In a meeting with Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Governor Ishratul Ebad Khan, the prime minister said the law-enforcement agencies should use all available resources to dismantle financial networks of terrorists in order to restore peace in Karachi.

“Action will be taken against all those who raise funds for or bankroll terrorists without any discrimination and irrespective of their political affiliation,” he added. Sources said the meeting discussed the security situation in Sindh, particularly the ongoing targeted operation in Karachi.

Targets cannot be achieved without smashing financial networks of terrorists, therefore, the law-enforcement agencies have been directed to put an end to the menace of extortion and land grabbing through intelligence and crush the patrons of such mafias, he added.

The prime minister said the Karachi operation was progressing well towards its objective: restoration of peace in the metropolis. He called upon the political forces and Karachiites to cooperate with the government and the law-enforcers so that Karachi’s lights could be brought back.

Chief Minister Shah briefed the prime minister about the implementation of the Sindh apex committee decisions. He also complained to the prime minister about lack of funding from the federal government for mega projects in his province.


Published in The Express Tribune, June 13^th, 2015.