Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi has said the federal government had a plan to set up water treatment plants around the Karachi Port and the treated water would be supplied to the industry. A big water treatment plant and many small ones would be installed under a phased program by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, which would help control dumping of industrial refuse in the sea, he said talking in an inclusive interview with a private news channel. He said the economic package announced by the federal government in the supplementary finance bill would promote the culture of industrialization in the country and bring more foreign investment that would ultimately boost the national economy and create more job opportunities.

The minister said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was working on a plan to connect the Karachi Port and Port Qasim through a 40-kilometre corridor, which would enhance their capacities to smoothen handling of cargo ships and avoid choking situation on both the ports, besides meeting the country's future requirements. A large number of national and international companies had shown their interest to invest in such projects and consultations were going on regarding the expansion of Karachi Port, he added.

There would be no need to seek financial assistance from the federal government as many foreign investors were waiting for a go-ahead to bid for the projects, he added.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2019