KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah has stated that the government in collaboration with the Karachi Chamber is actively working to help shopkeepers restart their businesses and aims to ensure that compensation is provided within two months so that the shopkeepers can buy inventories to restart their businesses.
While addressing the inaugural ceremony of 21st My Karachi – Oasis of Harmony Exhibition on Friday, the Chief Minister informed that several locations have been identified where affected shopkeepers will be facilitated to resume their businesses until the complete reconstruction of Gul Plaza. He clarified that no rent will be charged for these temporary shops, and the shopkeepers will only be required to bear the basic maintenance expenses.
Sindh Minister for Industries Ikramullah Khan Dharejo, Sindh Minister FOR Culture and Tourism Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Chairman Businessmen Group Zubair Motiwala, Vice Chairmen BMG Anjum Nisar, Jawed Bilwani, Mian Abrar Ahmed, Tariq Yousuf, President KCCI Rehan Hanif, Vice President KCCI Muhammad Arif Lakhani,Chairman KCCI’s Special Committee for My Karachi Exhibition Muhammad Idrees, prominent businessman Arif Habib along with a large number of diplomats from friendly countries, businessmen, industrialists, KCCI Executive Committee Members were present on the occasion.
Commenting on My Karachi Exhibition, he paid rich tribute to the Karachi Chamber for initiating the exhibition 22 years ago at a time when the city was facing difficult circumstances. He stated that the exhibition was launched to revive confidence, project a positive image of Karachi, and promote economic activity, adding that today people across the country eagerly wait for the My Karachi Exhibition every year.
He further stated that the Sindh Government is working wholeheartedly for the overall improvement of Karachi. He recalled that during 2017–18, funds were provided to industrial town associations for the improvement of industrial estates, adding that the government continues to work in the same manner to improve the infrastructure in industrial areas. In this regard, a sum of almost Rs10 billion has been provided to all industrial associations this year with an advice to fully utilize the same by the end of June 2026. The Sindh government will only monitor whereas the business community will carry out the execution for improving infrastructure in industrial zones, he added.
Chairman BMG Zubair Motiwala, while highly appreciating the presence of a large number of diplomats at the My Karachi Exhibition, urged the diplomatic community to project Karachi positively as a peaceful, progressive, and productive city where business activities are being conducted smoothly and confidently.
He stated that the Karachi Chamber’s My Karachi Exhibition has become a landmark and a distinct identity of the Chamber, attracting not only local participants but also foreign exhibitors. He added that the core objective of the exhibition is to portray the soft and positive image of Karachi while providing the public an opportunity to purchase quality products at discounted rates ahead of Ramadan, thereby offering relief to consumers amid the prevailing inflationary pressures.
Zubair Motiwala also appreciated the Sindh Government for undertaking numerous initiatives, particularly those aimed at improving infrastructure and strengthening healthcare services across the province. He pointed out that the Sindh Government has provided Rs. 9.46 billion to the industrial zones of Karachi for infrastructure development, expressing optimism that these funds will be utilized prudently and that the positive impact will soon be visible to the citizens of Karachi.
Commending the Sindh Government’s support and cooperation in the rehabilitation of the Gul Plaza affectees, Chairman BMG stressed that the business community must also recognize its own responsibilities.
He emphasized the need to address serious shortcomings at business premises, particularly the widespread presence of loose and unorganized wiring in markets, which often becomes a major cause of fire incidents. He urged traders to adopt precautionary measures and ensure that comprehensive fire safety arrangements are in place at commercial markets across Karachi.
He observed that while the government’s timely intervention during such incidents is commendable and appreciated, it is equally important for stakeholders to proactively minimize the risk of such tragedies in the future through improved safety practices.
Referring to various development projects currently underway in Karachi, Zubair Motiwala urged the Sindh Government to expedite their completion to reduce the hardships being faced by the public on the city’s roads. He also advised the Chief Minister to allocate additional funds to Mayor Karachi for further improvement of the city’s infrastructure.
Earlier, President KCCI, Rehan Hanif, while welcoming the Chief Minister Sindh and other distinguished guests, highly appreciated the full support and cooperation extended by the Sindh Government to Karachi
President KCCI also requested the Chief Minister to ensure the early completion of the much-needed Safe City Project in Karachi to guarantee sustainable peace, security, and effective surveillance across every nook and corner of the metropolis.
