Ahmed Khan Malik

Over 1,200 units have sprung up in the SITE Superhighway Industrial Area (SSHIA) since its establishment 20 years ago, thus making it the fastest growing industrial centre of Karachi.

SSHIA is relatively a new industrial area in the mega city of Karachi compared to the other industrial areas, which were established in 60s, 70s and 80s.  “Most of the industries in SSHIA are exporting units, bringing in the much-needed foreign exchange to the country,” said Shaheen Ilyas, president of the SITE entrepreneurs’ association. Talking to WealthPK, he said that a large number of both skilled and unskilled workers were employed in the industrial area. He said that the industrial area was emerging as one of the most important industrial hubs of the Sindh province. Shaheen said that the association was striving to promote industrialisation in the area in collaboration with the Sindh government.

He said that a level playing field was being provided to all the entrepreneurs in the industrial area, and development of a robust infrastructure was the top priority.  He said that though global warming was affecting the whole world, it was more acute in countries like Pakistan. Shaheen said that SSHIA had started a large-scale tree plantation drive in the area. He said that under this campaign, about 100,000 saplings would be planted, including 50,000 saplings in the first phase.  He called for launching a large-scale plantation campaign across the industrial zones in Sindh. He also asked industrialists to establish green belts in front of their units. He said that Karachi, which is the economic epicentre of Pakistan, also needs to create a clean environment for its citizens.

Credit: INP-WealthPk