Governor Dr Ishrat Ul Ebad on Saturday inaugurated what Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Ghauri dubbed the most-awaited “world’s largest” recreational enclave built by the Port Grand Corporation (PGC) at old Netive-Jetti bridge at a huge cost of over Rs 1 billion. Addressing the ceremony, the governor said mega economic hub Karachi, that houses millions of people, needs a lot of recreational and entertainment places where entertainment-starved citizens could find some peace, comfort and entertainment. Also present on the occasion were Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Khuohro, Sindh Minister for Local Government Agha Siraj Khan Durrani, Sindh IT Minister Raza Haroon, former advisor to Sindh CM sharmila Farooqui.
Terming Port Grand Food and Entertainment Complex a gift for the citizens of Karachi, governor said that Port Grand Project would serve as the catalyst for several other mega entertainment projects in city. Dr Ishrat ul Ebad said that Port Grand Complex is an effort to revive the culture and traditions of old Karachi as well as to celebrate it as the City of Lights. It would surely revive the harbor culture in a port city like Karachi. He appreciated Grand Leisure Corporation for resurrecting history and heritage as it has not only preserved the 19th century’s Napier Mole Bridge but has also converted it into a world class tourist’s spot that would ultimately attracts millions of people from all over the world. Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Babur Khan Ghauri, under whose leadership Karachi Port Trust provided this land for the project to Grand Leisure Corporation, said he had fulfilled his promise to Karachiites with a world-class harbor-based food, retail and entertainment complex in shape of Port Grand.
Babar Ghauri said that Port Grand is a bold initiative by a private sector company despite the economic, law and order and political uncertainties in the country. He applauded the relentless of efforts of Shahid Firoz, Managing Director Grand Leisure Corporation for making it a reality. Babar Ghauri said that Port Grand project is country’s only sea-side food and entertainment enclave which would offer matchless attractions for the whole family to enjoy together. Port Grand is expected to attract around 4 to 5 thousand people daily from across the country. The Port Grand Complex, which has been built at 19th century’s Napier Mole Bridge (old native jetty bridge) was conceived and built by Grand Leisure Corporation with an investment of over 1 billion rupees. GLC’s scope of work includes financing, construction, maintenance and operation of all aspects pertaining to the Port Grand.
About 40 outlets have been made operational at this stage while more outlets would be opened soon. The entry fee for the Port Grand would be Rs 300 per person of which Rs 200 would be redeemable at different food outlets and shops inside the project. The project would be open for public from Sunday evening. Shahid Firoz, Chief Executive Officer of Grand Leisure Corporation informed that Port Grand project,that stretches along the 1000 feet Karachi’s ancient 19th century native jetty bridge, spreads over an area of 200,000 square feet. The one kilometer bridge has been transformed into an entertainment and food enclave housing numerous eateries totalling 40,000 square feet of climate-controlled area and space for kiosks of exotic Pakistani and foreign food and a variety of beverages.
