KARACHI: Advisor to the Prime Minister for Commerce, Investment, Textile and Industry Production, Abdul Razzaq Daud in a meeting with Sindh Chief Secretary Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah here on Friday discussed measures being taken to promote ease of doing business concept in the province.
Abdul Razzak on the occasion said the federal government was committed to cooperate with the provincial authorities in its efforts to facilitate investors and contribute towards establishment of a conducive environment for the business community.
The chief secretary mentioned that efforts on part of Sindh towards the cause has raised country’s position by 11 points in the international ease of business ranking and that this has also restored the confidence of international as well as country’s business community.
Measures adopted under the concept were said to include marked reduction in the time frame to procure commercial water connection from 61 days to 21 days and also expediting registration of property with Sindh Revenue Board from 208 to 17 days and issuance of Sindh Building Control Authority’s NOC within 30 days.
The advisor to PM was further informed that a business portal was being launched by the provincial government on February 20 offering single window facilities to the concerned stakeholders, mainly business community.
This was said to be in the particular context of property registration and collection of property tax.
On the occasion, provincial secretary for housing and works informed that PM’s advisor about measures being adopted to evacuate federal government property encroached upon in different parts of Karachi.
Issues related to encroachment of Pakistan Quarters, Jahangir Road Quarters (East/West), Federal Capital Area, Patel Para, Liaquatabad (Lalukhet), Martin Road Quarters, Jail Road Quarters and so-forth were raised on the occasion with due realisation that these needed a sympathetic approach towards retired employees comprising senior citizens.
It was unanimously agreed that harsh measures may not be adopted to evict residential quarters as humanitarian aspects could not be ignored.
The advisor also drew attention towards eviction of Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) property and said that the state department of federal government will provide all details related to its encroached property to the concerned quarters.
Sindh secretary for housing and works mentioned that a committee has already been constituted under the leadership of Karachi commissioner to review illegal allotments in the metropolis.
