- PM’s adviser says incumbent regime aims to facilitate industrial relocation from China
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to start the electrification process at the special economic zones (SEZ). The first SEZ that would get immediate relief in this regard would be the Bin Qasim Industrial Parks in Karachi.
This was decided in a meeting co-chaired by Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood and Power Minister Omar Ayub Khan on Thursday.
The meeting was held to discuss issues pertaining to the provision of electricity and gas to the SEZs.
It was decided that electricity will be provided to nine SEZs on a priority basis, including Bin Qasim Industrial Park and Korangi Creek Industrial Park.
Section 27 (i) of the SEZ Act, 2012, makes it compulsory for the federal and provincial governments to ensure the provision of gas, electricity and other utilities at the designated zero points of all SEZs.
The cost with regard to the provision of utilities to SEZs would be met through the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).
The power minister on the occasion directed the K-Electric to make necessary arrangements to cater to the electricity needs of the Bin Qasim Industrial Park, while the adviser ordered the Board of Investment to prepare a comprehensive plan in consultation with the Planning Commission, Ministry of Power, National Transmission and Despatch Company, and distribution companies regarding the provision of electricity to the zones.
In the first quarter of the financial year 2019-2020, Rs500 million will be allocated for the provision of electricity to Bin Qasim Industrial Park.
The meeting was attended by secretaries from Ministry of Industries and Production and Board of Investment and senior officials from the Power Division, Planning Commission, National Industrial Parks Company (NIP) and the Ministry of Petroleum.
The PM’s adviser stated that the current regime is addressing the issues of the SEZ on a priority basis so that the industrial relocation from China could be facilitated.
Meetings after meetings day in and day out, with no positive achievement is the crux of the problem and that make frustrated all the stake holders, making them exit and move some where else. Bureaucracy and bureaucratic attitude has ruined this country.