KARACHI: The government is committed to protecting and promoting agro-based industries, particularly ensuring easy and safe accessibility of the relevant goods to the global market.
These views were expressed by Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair on Monday, while talking to a 10-member delegation of Sindh-Balochistan Rice Mills Association, led by Khaildas Kohistani.
The Sindh governor said that the federal government has accorded top priority to activate these industries on strong lines.
All needed support is also being provided to the concerned industrialists, he told the delegation that also included Abdul Shakoor Memon, Dr Cheetan Das, Ghagandas Israni, Saamandas, Kanwal Kumar Dhanani, Farooq Chipa, Kishanchan Ikrani, Sanjay Kumar and Thakurdas Jaswani.
Responding to a concern registered by the rice millers about implications of power shortage on their business, he said that optimum attention is being paid to the issue.
“It is during the current year that a record 19,000-megawatt electricity is being generated and by next year another 10500-megawatt power will be added to the national grid station enabling the country to meet its needs,” said the Sindh governor.
He said that the country has faced power shortage for past several years and lack of planning, over the years, has exposed the country to the energy crisis like situation.
Sindh-Balochistan Rice Millers Association apprising the governor about different problems faced by them also sought his support in matters related to tax collection and alleged high-handedness of Federal Board of Revenue officials.
The Sindh governor said that the federal government had developed a mechanism for tax collection and strict action will be taken against individuals found violating the arrangement.
The governor, while appreciating that Pakistani rice holds immense demand in the international market, said the government is conscious of problems faced by rice millers and will get this duly addressed.
He said completion of economic game changer CPEC will usher a new era of development and prosperity across the country.
