CM invites investors to explore opportunities in port city
Zubair Yaqoob
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah met with Canadian High Commissioner Leslie Scanlon, highlighting the vast investment potential in Karachi. Shah emphasized that the Sindh government, through the Karachi Transformation Project, is focused on enhancing the city’s infrastructure to create a more investor-friendly environment.
The meeting was attended by Director General for South Asia Mary Louise Hannan from Ottawa and the Canadian High Commission’s political, economic, and trade counselor, Daniel Arsenault. During the conversation, the Canadian High Commissioner praised Karachi as a vibrant economic hub, revealing plans for a Canadian food chain, already operating in Islamabad and Lahore, to open a franchise in Karachi. Shah further noted that Karachi, being Pakistan’s commercial center, is benefiting from efforts by both the federal and provincial governments to establish new special economic zones. With support from the World Bank, infrastructure upgrades in industrial areas and other parts of the city are underway through the Karachi Transformation Project and Public-Private Partnership program. The Chief Minister also highlighted government investments in water projects, including converting seawater to drinking water and treating domestic wastewater for household and industrial use. Treatment plants are being set up to prevent untreated sewage and industrial waste from polluting the sea, aiming to address environmental and marine pollution. Shah added that his government has planted millions of mangroves along the coastal belt to earn carbon credits, with further plans to develop a new deep-sea port at Keti Bandar. Speaking about Thar’s coal-based energy production, he shared that international environmental standards are being adhered to, making Thar coal one of the country’s most affordable electricity sources and significantly improving the standard of living for local communities. In response to questions on electricity tariffs, Shah acknowledged that manufacturers are dissatisfied with current rates. He noted that the federal government is working on reducing tariffs, while the Sindh government plans to install two 352 MW power plants in Karachi and Hyderabad, with private partners sought for efficient electricity distribution.
He invited Canadian investors to consider investing in power distribution, water projects, and the education sector, with the Canadian High Commissioner confirming that Canadian companies are indeed exploring investment opportunities in Karachi. Speaking on the housing project for flood-affected families, the Chief Minister said homes are being constructed with climate resilience in mind. He added that the project is progressing and is expected to benefit 2.1 million families by its projected completion in late 2025.
Shah discussed minority rights in Sindh, affirming that minorities enjoy equal rights in the province. He highlighted that the Pakistan People’s Party has elected two minority representatives to general seats—one in the provincial and the other in the national assembly. He also noted that Sindh’s Deputy Speaker is Christian, emphasizing the province’s pride in its diverse, harmonious society, where people of all faiths coexist peacefully.
