KARACHI, Pakistan: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that the culture of strikes in Karachi should be discouraged as it affects the industry and commerce.
In his address at a function of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) in Karachi on Friday, he said that the government would consider the proposal to waive off duties on import of new plants and machinery. He said that the duties can be recovered when the plant becomes operational.
The prime minister also announced that a business council would be formed to discuss problems and issues relating to industry and commerce. He said that the council would meet regularly under his chairmanship and hopefully become instrumental in boosting growth and exports.
Sharif said that work is about to begin on Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway, which would later be extended to Sukkur, Multan, Lahore and Peshawar. He said that it is effort of the present government to connect Pakistan with Central Asian States.
The premier said that construction of Gwadar-Quetta-Chaman and Kandhar route would open the entire Balochistan to development.
Earlier in the day, the prime minister inaugurated Byco Oil Refinery in Balochistan’s Hub district which will help reduce country’s dependence on the import of petroleum products by over 50 percent. The refinery has been completed at a cost of $7.5 million with a capacity of refining 155000 barrel crude oil per day.
In his address at the inaugural ceremony, Nawaz Sharif said that the project will not only help in development of Balochistan but will also create job opportunities. He said that $750 million investment will be made in the second phase of the project.
Nawaz Sharif is in Karachi on a day-long visit and is also likely to preside over a meeting to review law and order situation in the metropolitan city.
