By our correspondentCaretaker Provincial Minister for Information, Minority Affairs, and Social Protection, President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Muhammad Ahmed Shah, visited the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to discuss key issues affecting the city’s business landscape. The President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh, Vice President Tanveer Barry, along with other officials, briefed Provincial Information Minister Muhammad Ahmed Shah. During the meeting, provincial minister was made aware of the issues facing the business community. Caretaker Provincial Minister for Information, Minority Affairs and Social Protection, President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Mohammad Ahmed Shah while talking to the media said that all the people of the chamber are my friends, we remember Siraj Qasim Teli to his significant contributions.
Positive endeavors of the Arts Council have been instrumental during the tenure of the Chamber’s leadership. During a media interaction, Caretaker Provincial Minister Muhammad Ahmed Shah expressed his close ties to the city, stating, “I live and die with the Karachi; this city has given a lot to all of us, and I want to pay the debt of this city.” He acknowledged the significant role of the business community, emphasizing the need for investments and support to prevent capital flight. Shah addressed concerns related to traffic problems and pledged to engage with the mayor and law enforcement agencies for solutions. He also highlighted the importance of cleanliness and discussed plans to collaborate with solid waste management. Additionally, he raised issues related to tax policies, infrastructure cess and the economic challenges faced by Karachi chamber.
He stated that we are humiliated in the world because we are economically weak, and external interference increases in our private policies. If we had invested in our business community, we wouldn’t have to look towards foreign countries; a substantial capital has left Pakistan. Investors were harassed to the extent that they left.
The country’s system is running on taxpayers. If a businessman’s business thrives, capital will accumulate. He asserted that the punishment for tax evaders is greater than murder in America. The issue of infrastructure will be presented to the Chief Minister. There is immense pressure on Sindh. He added, “Karachi was systematically ruined. I feel no shame in saying this. The city has suffered a lot in the last forty years. Whenever the Chief of Army Staff meets the business community, Karachi is the General Headquarters (GHQ) of business. We face security risks at Afghanistan’s border. He further highlighted that our biggest problem is the current state of law and order. During elections, all sorts of thieves and criminals emerge. There is an urgent need for us to transform our city into a smart city. The government’s failure to provide facilities leads the business community to address them through charity. Harming Karachi means jamming the wheel of the economy. I will definitely talk to the interior minister and other officials to solve the problems of the business community. President Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh praised Muhammad Ahmed Shah’s contributions.
During the briefing, concerns were raised about the deteriorating condition of roads in Jodia Bazaar, a key area in Karachi, and the challenges faced by the business community, including traffic and cleanliness issues. The historic building of the Karachi Chamber also came under discussion, with difficulties highlighted in securing renovations. He stated that we are failed to adorn and renovated the historical building of the Karachi Chamber. He mentioned that since 1988, revenues from the infrastructure cess have been collected at Karachi port. Thus far, billions of rupees have been generated, with proportions ranging from 0.50% to 1.1%. It was explained that the income from the cess is not allocated for the development of Karachi’s infrastructure; instead, the revenue collected through the infrastructure cess is transferred to the Chief Minister’s House accounts.
