Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah announced a one-window office at ABAD House on Friday. He said the office would simplify construction approvals, address builders’ complaints and promote investment. Shah made the announcement while opening the three-day construction materials exhibition with Association of Builders and Developers Chairman Muhammad Hanif Gohar.
Sindh plans to digitise construction approvals
Shah said Sindh was moving to digitise services alongside the one-window rollout. The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) director general and provincial officials are coordinating to address construction-sector problems, he said. He called the exhibition an opportunity for builders and allied industries.
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Governor Syed Nihal Hashmi attended as guest of honour and toured stalls with Shah. ABAD officeholders Danish Bin Rauf, Syed Khurshid Alam and Syed Moez Zaidi attended. SBCA and Karachi Development Authority heads joined other officials, exhibitors, builders and developers. The expo runs through November 15, from 10:30am to 6:30pm.
The exhibition brought together 23 companies, including Porcelano, Popular, The City Tiles, GM Tiles and World Ceramics. Displays included tiles, furniture, fans and other building materials. Hashmi credited Gohar with bringing suppliers together at ABAD House and urged exhibitors to pursue export markets.
Shah cites road works and calls for investment
Shah said work was underway on more than 150 roads across Sindh, including small and major routes.
“Our desire is that discussions should focus on Pakistan’s development, business opportunities and the promotion of investment. Pakistan is receiving positive recognition internationally, and we should benefit from this favourable environment,” he said.
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He called for better facilities to attract local and foreign investment and keep capital in Pakistan. Shah said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Sindh’s chief minister were ready to support businesses. He also cited efforts to improve Provincial and National Finance Commission matters and called for greater attention to governance.
Asked about Gohar, Shah said the ABAD chairman maintained relations with everyone. He asked Gohar to identify anyone who had taken money from him and pledged action if he did. Shah said the government’s accountability system used rewards and penalties and that it had suspended several officials.
Minister addresses questions on Sindh’s boundaries
Shah said President Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal had made clear that Sindh’s people would decide the province’s future. He said a referendum could take place and the constitutional process would still apply. Under Article 239, an amendment changing provincial boundaries requires support from two-thirds of the affected assembly’s total membership.
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Asked about the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, he said, “We do not take MQM seriously. It does not even have a leader, although we sympathise with it.”
Shah described Mohsin Naqvi’s meeting with Zardari as personal and called links to provincial matters speculation.
