President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday underlined the need for women empowerment, especially in business and asked the leadership of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to enhance the institutions’ role in women empowerment.
Addressing the members of KCCI during his visit to the chamber, the president appreciated the contribution of the Chamber in empowerment of women besides promoting trade and industry in the city, which is the economic hub of the country.
The KCCI leadership should come forward to help out women entrepreneurs in getting soft loans from the banks, he said adding the State Bank of Pakistan was very active to provide maximum financial support to the business women. He said the country could not progress and prosper unless maximum participation of women in every profession and field was ensured.
Responding to the KCCI leadership who highlighted the issues facing Karachi, the President Alvi said the country’s progress was linked to Karachi’s development and that provision of basic amenities to the citizens were essential. He said for managing the shortage of water in the city, there was need to recycle sewage water by setting up treatment plants. Presently, huge quantity of sewage water was being pumped into the sea and no one was taken accountable, he added. The solution of water issue in Karachi was desalination of sewage and saline water of the sea, he said adding there must be its single buyer like Karachi Municipal Corporation to purchase desalinated water from private investors. At least , this could be used by industrial consumption, he added.
“I have suggested Sindh government to set up Sindh Water Authority or Karachi Water Authority for effectively tackling the water issue,” he added..—APP
