Karachi: The Karachi Development Authority (KDA) has announced the formation of a new committee dedicated to addressing the ongoing concerns of traders and industrialists in Karachi. This committee will conduct monthly meetings chaired by KDA Director General Syed Shujaat Hussain, aimed at fostering direct engagement and swift resolution of industrial grievances.

According to Korangi Association of Trade and Industry, during a luncheon hosted by the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (Kati), Syed Shujaat Hussain stated that the committee would include members recommended by Kati to ensure a broad representation of industrial interests. The Director General emphasized his personal involvement in the committee’s operations to ensure that issues are addressed promptly. Initiatives will include the provision of parks and grounds for renovation through memorandums of understanding with industrialists. Additionally, KDA will engage with Kati on specific issues like encroachment and the change of ST plots, taking into account the Supreme Court’s decision on Mehran Town which restricts certain developments.

Furthermore, Kati President Johar Kandhari highlighted the critical need for establishing new industrial zones and updating city surveys to better understand and address the challenges facing Karachi. He also pointed out the escalating land prices driving industrialists to relocate their industries to other provinces. Kandhari advocated for the computerization of land records to prevent land grabbing and to support legal construction activities more efficiently.

The event also saw contributions from other key figures, including Kati’s Deputy Patron-in-Chief Zubair Chhaya, who criticized the current state of civic institutions in Karachi and called for the appointment of a focal person in Kati to address industrialists’ issues more effectively. Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan underscored the need for a collaborative committee between KDA and Kati to streamline the resolution process.