Sindh Chief Minister and Federal Commerce Minister Collaborate on Key Economic Initiatives
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah convened a high-level meeting with Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan at the CM House in Karachi to deliberate on the development of crucial sectors, including agriculture, livestock, insurance, and Marble City projects. The session was attended by prominent officials from both the provincial and federal governments, underscoring a unified approach to economic advancement.
Strengthening Agriculture and Livestock Sectors
During the discussions, Federal Minister Jam Kamal Khan highlighted the introduction of crop insurance in Pakistan, a concept previously absent, emphasizing that necessary measures are now being implemented to safeguard farmers. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reinforced the importance of crop financing and insurance, stating that without adequate financial support, farmers cannot achieve higher productivity. He also noted the Sindh government's active efforts to promote agro-based industries across the province.
Special Assistant on Investment Qasim Naveed provided updates on transforming the Landhi and Gadap cattle colonies into disease-free zones, with plans to accelerate measures protecting livestock from diseases. The Chief Minister assured that work is already underway to eradicate Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) completely, aiming to enhance livestock health and productivity.
Insurance and Safety Measures for Commercial Buildings
The meeting addressed the tragic Gul Plaza incident in Karachi, with participants expressing deep sorrow. Chief Minister Shah stressed that large commercial structures like Gul Plaza must be insured to mitigate risks. Federal Minister Khan added that insured buildings would undergo regular inspections, potentially preventing major accidents.
Concrete steps were decided to initiate insurance for large plazas, and there was an agreement in principle to propose legislation for insuring both commercial and residential buildings, enhancing safety standards across Sindh.
Advancing Marble City Projects for Economic Growth
Chief Minister Shah prioritized Marble City projects as part of a broader economic development agenda, discussing incentives for ongoing initiatives and announcing a new Marble City in Sukkur to expand the province's industrial footprint. Special Assistant Qasim Naveed emphasized the need for Export Development Fund (EDF) support for Marble City Karachi, a dedicated industrial zone aimed at modernizing Pakistan's marble, materials, and minerals sector.
Despite Pakistan's rich marble reserves, exports remain limited due to outdated machinery, lack of common facilities, weak compliance with international standards, and limited market access. Marble City Karachi seeks to address these challenges by providing planned infrastructure, shared facilities, and an investor-friendly environment, focusing on value addition, modern processing standards, and export orientation.
Federal Minister Jam Kamal Khan assured collaborative efforts to develop the marble industry, aligning with the EDF's mandate to boost exports through improved infrastructure, technology, skills, and market development.
Key Attendees and Future Directions
The meeting included Provincial Minister for Industries Jam Ikramullah Dharejo, CM Special Assistant on Investment Qasim Naveed, Principal Secretary to CM Agha Waseef, and Secretary Finance Fayaz Jatoi from the Sindh government. The federal delegation comprised Chief Executive TDAP Faiz Ahmed, CEO State Life Insurance Shoaib Javed, CEO NICL Farman Zarqoon, and Secretary TDAP Shehryar Taj.
This collaborative effort marks a significant step towards enhancing Sindh's economic resilience, with a focus on sustainable development, safety, and industrial growth.
