KARACHI, October 10: Karachi’s leading trade and industrial representatives have called for urgent, coordinated action to address the city’s worsening civic infrastructure, water shortages, electricity and gas issues, street crime, corruption and administrative failures.Speaking at a high-level meeting convened by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and Businessmen Group (BMG), BMG Chairman Zubair Motiwala stressed that Karachi, despite contributing approximately 67 percent of federal revenue and 54 percent of national exports, continued to suffer from deteriorating roads, inadequate water supply, poor sewerage and unreliable public services.
He called for time-bound reforms, institutional accountability and measurable results, urging authorities to prioritize the completion of the K-IV water project, implement the Safe City system, improve road infrastructure, ensure transparent utility billing and introduce a business-friendly tax regime.BMG Vice Chairmen Anjum Nisar, Jawed Bilwani, Mian Abrar Ahmed and Tariq Yousuf also highlighted corruption, land grabbing, poor governance, weak accountability and inadequate business community representation in public-sector institutions. They called for a unified strategy to protect Karachi’s economic interests and improve civic services.
KCCI President Talat Mahmood proposed establishing a representative committee of trade and industrial associations to develop an actionable reform agenda within 15 days. He emphasized collective engagement with federal and provincial authorities, regular progress reviews and coordinated efforts to tackle corruption and infrastructure deficiencies.Deputy Patron-in-Chief of the Korangi Association of Trade & Industry (KATI) Zubair Chhaya stressed the need for better sewerage management, environmental protection, digitized land records and transparency in revenue collection and expenditure. Other business leaders called for stronger action against street crime, extortion, illegal encroachments and alleged corruption in regulatory institutions.MNA Mirza Ikhtiar Baig pledged parliamentary support for Karachi’s key development projects, including K-IV, and called for solutions to prolonged electricity load-shedding and gas supply issues affecting industrial production.
Representatives of various trade bodies also urged authorities to reduce unnecessary compliance burdens, improve public services, strengthen law and order and ensure meaningful business community participation in decisions affecting the city.Concluding the meeting, Talat Mahmood proposed the formation of five committees comprising nominees from participating trade and industrial associations. The committees will be tasked with finalizing recommendations and comprehensive terms of reference within 15 days, followed by regular progress reviews and a joint press conference to present the business community’s demands.Participants agreed on the need for a united, non-political and results-oriented campaign to secure practical solutions to Karachi’s longstanding civic and economic challenges.
