By NNN-APP,
Karachi : Pakistani Pres Asif Ali Zardari on Friday vowed to turn Karachi into a “model metropolis” in next three years so that it can benefit the future generations.
“Karachi can run the entire economy of Pakistan if it is developed under a planned strategy. We will make it with the support of business community and the people”, he said while speaking at the distribution of pay orders among the affectees of Boulton and old markets arson fire and the lootings that followed at Chief Minister House here.
Sindh Governor Dr. Ishrat- ul-Ebad, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Ministers and Advisors and MPAs from Sindh, renowned businessmen and the affected businessmen were present on the occasion.
He said the people of Karachi, Sindh and Pakistan have a unique strength and they never bowed to the evil designed enemies, terrorists and difficulties. This nation has always encountered every challenge with courage, he added.
He said the entire leadership of Pakistan was united and concerned over Karachi incident whether the Prime Minister, PML (N) leader Mian Nawaz Sharif, MQM leader Altaf Husain or Sindh Governor, Chief Minister, Interior Minister or Finance Minister. This is our strength, this is our existence and this is our future, he noted.
President Zardari said that this nation is courageous and honest and only needs favourable circumstances.
Paying tribute to Altaf Hussain, he said that MQM leader has kept his party alive despite living far away in London. “He remains in touch with me by telephone and seeks my support in every difficult time in Karachi. We are together and we will develop Karachi, Sindh and Pakistan through this cooperation. Karachi is very important and it is my effort to make it a great city and we will do it Inshallah with the support of the business community.
“Your President is a Karachiite, this is our city and we have grown up here.”
President Asif Zardari assured the businessmen to take every step to resolve the problems of affectees and said he agreed to their demands regarding the rehabilitation of affectees. “I will pass on the instructions to the concerned departments and I will request the Parliament and my Prime Minister for indulgence in the issues and problems of Karachi.”
President Zardari reiterated the resolve of the government to continue the policy of political reconciliation and said this can resolve most of the problems. He said coalition governments in the provinces as well as in the Centre will remain intact.
He said “Democracy will remain intact in Sindh and the whole of Pakistan and the coalition governments will continue to function,” .
Earlier, Sindh Governor Dr. Ishrat-ul- Ebad Khan assured the affectees that they would not be moved to other places and would be resettled at the existing shops and flats.
He said 29 buildings were burnt, 13 of them required reconstruction.
Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that the President has shown generosity in arranging the funds from federal government. He said that the compensation was paid in a very short time of one month.
Former president KCCI and business leader Siraj Kassem Teli thanked the government for compensating the affected businessmen in a very short time and added that everybody in the government should be lauded for this achievement.
He pointed out that the government sanctioned Rs 3.5 billion for the compensation of affectees while the claim amount has come down to Rs 1.5 billion due to transparency and honest filing of claims by the affected businessmen.
Teli urged the President to provide one year waiver from filing income tax, three to four months waiver from paying utility bills and children’s school fees.