MULTAN, Sept 13th: Commissioner Multan Division Bilal Ahmed Butt vowed to make Multan a model & safe city of the country by providing all facilities like Command and Control system ,recreational parks, Modern hospitals, Safari park, Museum and job opportunities. Butt has said that Ground breaking ceremony of a hospital of 500 beds eqipped with all modern facilities is expected during the current fiscal year while a Museum would be established next year subject tio the provision of funds besides developing a new big housing colony by Multan Development Authority(MDA).He was addressing the executive committee member of Multan Chamber of Commerce & Industry(MCCI)chaired by Khawaja Jalal-uddin Roomi its President here today.He suggested that farmers should also launch their own business by making clusters to earn more money like the people of Wazirabad, Sialkot,and Gujranwala. He said thay Work on master plan of water-disposal (Sewerage system)is in progress with an estimated cost of Rs.4 billion and 60 crore .Commissioner said that out sourcing of Solid Waste Management is under process. He said that A gym-khana would be constructed in new housing colony of MDA while work on a Safari park is in progress on Shujabad road. He assured that work on city roads would be started in few days with an estimated cost of Rs.250 million and this project would be completed with the collaboration of Highways department, Municipal Corporation and MDA.Glimpsing the Multan city from rose-tinted glasses, Commissioner said that Shah Shams Park, Langay Khan Garden, Old fort Qasim Bagh would be renovated and decorated with the help of Rs.150 million and recreation academies would be developed in the big parks to facilitate the visitors. He said that anti-encrachment task was given to Deputy Commissioner Multan and he would clear four important roads of illicit encroachments in first phase.Divisional Commissioner Bilal Butt disclosed that an investment programme was introduced for new entrepreneurs.Under which Loan upto Rs.10 million would be advanced to entrepreneurs on 3 to 3.5 percent mark for the period of five years. First instalment of the loan would due after six months. He hoped that there would be economic revolution after advancing the loan of Rs.150 billions .The loans would be provided through State Bank of pakistan. He said said that Worldwide, one of the most widely used practices to support industrial clusters is provision of Common Facility Centers (CFC). The establishment of CFCs is an integral part of SMEDA’s Cluster Development activities. So far SMEDA has been able to establish following CFCs with Chambers of commerce and industry and industry/trade associations:SME Clusters in Pakistan have huge potential and critical to SME growth. SMEDA has always been fully cognizant of the significance of Cluster Development and has taken several initiatives. These initiatives includes Technological Up-gradation, establishment of Common Facility Centers(CFCs) , access to Formal Finance for SME clusters, Marketing support, Improving HR skills and Awareness on International Certification & Regulations. He further said that Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC)would provide interest free loans of Rs.10 billion for tax-free ionvestment with the cooperation of Akhuwat Foundation. He further said that working capital of Rs.10 billion was being provided to craftsmen, disable persons and other entrepreneurs . He said that a handloom zone would be developed in Industrial estate on 300 to 400 acres of land. Handlooam cluster would be encouraged. New water filteration plants would be installed on top priority basis and these would be run by the philanthropists and local traders as well as member of Multan Chamber. He said that under safe-Pani programe, potable water was being ensured in rural areas only.Work on this project is in progress in South Punjab.
He assured that roads would renamed after the spiritual saints. In his welcome address Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi demanded for establishment of a centre of excellence to preserve the history of Multan for centuries. SMS alert system be introduced in the city for security purpose to combat the crimes. He said that District administration/Police should give quick response on the SMS messages. Roundabout in front of customs house must be widened.All dilapidated and submerged road must be rehabilitated. On-going projects of sewerage must be completed immediately. Water-Park, Safari Park and Mumtaz abad Park and a separate park for Purdah-observing women must be developed. Bakhtawar Tanvir Sheikh Senior Vice President,Former Presidents of MCCI, Khawaja Muhammad Yousaf,Mian Iqbal Hassanm,Khawaja Muhammad Usman, Mirza Ali Ahmed, Khawaja Farooq, Shakir Hussain Shakir, Raziuddin Razi also spoke.
