The Provincial Minister for Environment Shaikh Muhammad Afzal said that 10,000 saplings would be planted in the first phase of the project that will turn Korangi Industrial Area (KIA) into South Asia’s first ever Model Green Zone. Addressing on the inauguration of the KIA Green Zone project on Saturday at the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), the minister urged the industries to comply with the environment regulations, as pressure to form pollution free industry was mounting.
He said that industries could double their exports by turning their manufacturing units’ environment friendly. “KIA will soon become a model green zone and all industrialists should get involved in this campaign by not dumping any industrial waste in front of their factories”, Sheikh said adding that KATI should also devise a monitoring system in this regard. He said that Rs 400 million has been allocated for the construction and beautification of Road 10,000 and work would soon be started after release of funds. He announced that a few water treatment plants by the government are in the pipeline and hoped that they would be executed and commissioned soon.
He agreed to the point of former KATI Chairman Mian Zahid Husain to evolve an affective monitoring system of follow-ups of environmental laws and awareness among industrialists. The KATI Patron In-Chief S M Muneer said that business community has vehemently rejected the imposition of wealth tax as it is not imposed anywhere in the world. He clarified that wealth tax would open up avenues of corruption and white money would turn into black money. He also rejected the government’s consideration of two holidays a week.
He said that there was no evidence of energy conservation in the country, but the economy had instead lost billions of rupees. He, however, welcomed announcement of the Governor of State Bank to open up banks’ branches on Saturdays. The Acting KATI Chairman Salimuz Zaman said in his welcome address that KATI would provide saplings and fertiliser to the KATI members on discounted rates.
