Razzak Dawood discusses steps taken to ease doing business

KARACHI, Feb 1 (APP):Advisor to the Prime Minister for
Commerce, Investment, Textile and Industry Production, Abdul Razzaq
Daud in a meeting with Sindh Chief Secretary, Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah
here on Friday discussed measures being taken to promote ease of doing
business concept in the province.
Abdul Razzak on the occasion said federal government was
committed to cooperate with the provincial authorities in it efforts
to facilitate investors and contribute towards establishment of a
conducive environment for the business community.
The Chief Secretary mentioned that efforts on part of Sindh, towards
the cause, has raised country’s position by 11 points in the
international ease of business ranking and that this has also restored
the confidence of international as well as country’s business
community.
Measures adopted under the concept were said to include marked
reduction in the time frame to procure commercial water connection from
61 days to 21 days and also expediting registration of property with
Sindh Revenue Board from 208 to 17 days and issuance of Sindh Building
Control Authority’s NOC with in 30 days.
The Advisor to PM was further informed that a Business Portal was
being launched by the provincial government on Feb 20 offering
single window facilities to the concerned stakeholders, mainly
business community.
This was said to be in particular context of property
registration and collection of property tax.
On the occasion, provincial secretary for housing and works
informed the PM’s Advisor about measures being adopted to evacuate
federal government property encroached upon in different parts of
Karachi.
Issues related to encroachment of Pakistan Quarters, Jahangir
Road Quarters (East/West), Federal Capital Area, Patel Para,
Liaquatabad (Lalukhet), Martin Road Quarters, Jail Road Quarters and
so-forth were raised on the occasion with due realization that these
needed a sympathetic approach towards retired employees comprising
senior citizens.
It was unanimously agreed that harsh measures may not be adopted
to evict residential quarters as humanitarian aspects could not be
ignored.
The Advisor also drew attention towards
eviction of Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) property and said the
state department of federal government will provide all details
related to its encroached property to the concerned quarters.
Sindh secretary for housing and works mentioned that a committee
has already been constituted under the leadership of Karachi
Commissioner to review illegal allotments in the metropolis.