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Sindh Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has announced the establishment of a One-Window Operation office at ABAD House to facilitate builders and developers.
He made the announcement while inaugurating the three-day ABAD In-House Exhibition of construction products. The Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) organised the exhibition, with ABAD Chairman Muhammad Hanif Gohar accompanying the minister.
Sindh Governor Syed Nihal Hashmi attended the inauguration as the guest of honour.
Addressing the ceremony, Shah said the Sindh government was advancing digitisation alongside the implementation of a Single-Window Operation system.
He added that the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) director general and the government team were working closely to resolve construction-sector issues on a priority basis.
The proposed office at ABAD House aims to simplify project approvals, address the concerns of builders and developers, and encourage business activity.
Shah described the exhibition as an important development for the construction industry and its allied sectors.
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The minister also said the provincial government was working to improve infrastructure across Sindh. According to him, development work was underway on more than 150 small and major roads.
Responding to a question about the division of Sindh, Shah said a referendum could be held on the creation of new provinces. However, he stressed that the constitutional process would still have to be followed.
He said the Constitution required a two-thirds majority in the relevant provincial assembly to pass a bill creating a new province.
Shah also outlined the Pakistan Peoples Party’s position on the issue. He said President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had stated that the people of Sindh would decide the province’s future.
The minister urged greater focus on Pakistan’s development, business opportunities and investment. He said the country was receiving positive international recognition and should make use of the favourable environment.
“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.
He added that the government wanted local and foreign investors to invest in Pakistan. Providing maximum facilities to the business community, he said, would help retain capital within the country.
Shah further said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the Sindh chief minister remained ready to cooperate with the business community.
He also referred to ongoing efforts to improve matters relating to the Provincial Finance Commission (PFC) and National Finance Commission (NFC). He said governance issues also required attention.
Asked about ABAD Chairman Muhammad Hanif Gohar, Shah said Gohar maintained relations with everyone. He added that anyone alleging they had given money to someone should identify the recipient so the government could take action.
The minister said the government followed an accountability system based on reward and punishment. He also noted that several government officials had been suspended.
Commenting on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Shah said: “We do not take MQM seriously. It does not even have a leader, although we sympathise with it.”
He also addressed a question about Mohsin Naqvi’s meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari. Shah described the two as having personal relations and said linking their meeting to provincial matters or other issues was speculation.
Speaking at the event, Governor Sindh Syed Nihal Hashmi praised ABAD Chairman Muhammad Hanif Gohar for bringing ABAD House to life through the exhibition.
He noted that products from different sectors were being displayed under one roof. The governor also encouraged participating companies to explore international markets and export their products.
He said stronger exports would contribute to Pakistan’s economic development.
A total of 23 companies participated in the three-day exhibition, displaying a range of construction-related products.
Participating companies included Port Celano, Popular, City Tiles, GM Tiles and World Ceramics. The stalls featured tiles, furniture, fans and other building materials.
The inauguration ceremony was also attended by ABAD Senior Vice Chairman Danish Bin Rauf, Vice Chairman Syed Khurshid Alam and Southern Region Chairman Syed Moez Zaidi.
Representatives and heads of the SBCA, Karachi Development Authority (KDA) and other government departments also attended, alongside participating companies and members of the construction industry.
Following the ceremony, Shah and Hashmi visited several exhibition stalls to view the products on display.
