Ahmed Khan Malik

The Sindh government will establish help desks in different departments to facilitate industrials in navigating the cumbersome regulatory processes and ensuring ease of doing business in Karachi, which is the main economic and industrial hub of Pakistan. Industrialists have long been complaining about unnecessary hurdles in resolution of their issues due to red-tape in different departments, including industries, environment, excise and taxation, infrastructure development, water and gas utilities. 

“It is the government's unwavering commitment to facilitating the industrial sector of the city, which is the backbone of the national economy,” Manzoor Siddiqui, Director of Policy Sindh, said. He told WealthPK that entrepreneurs face hurdles in getting no-objection certificates from environmental agencies for setting up their units, and in order to tackle this issue, the government has directed Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) to swiftly set up the help desk.

He underscored the imperative of fostering a conducive environment for businesses while also redoubling efforts to mitigate pollution. He pledged zero tolerance toward any form of harassment faced by industrialists, stressing the need for cooperation from the business community in this endeavor. Manzoor said that a dedicated help desk would be set up at Sepa to help industrialists resolve their issues.

“Such proactive measures aim to bridge the communication gap between the regulatory authorities and industrial stakeholders, fostering a collaborative approach toward sustainable industrial growth.” Industrialists have hailed the provincial government’s plan to set up help desks in various ministries. Johar Ali Qandhari, President of Korangi Association of Trade & Industry, said the help desks would go a long way in helping out the industrialists. Zubair Chhaya, a businessman, stressed the urgent need for infrastructural improvements, particularly the establishment of a combined effluent treatment plant tailored to small and medium-sized enterprises. He also advocated for an extension of audit periods and legislative reforms to facilitate smoother compliance processes for industrial units. 

Nazimuddin, a business leader in Federal B Area Association of Trade and Industry, said that the industries also faced the problems at the hands of utilities as well as the civic agencies. He said that getting water, electricity and gas connections has become a cumbersome process, and the help desks would hopefully prove instrumental in resolving these issues.

Credit: INP-WealthPk