LG Minister orders IG Sindh to hold Probe into theft of assets of Steel Mill

F.P. Report

Karachi: Provincial Minister for Information and Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah held third meeting with Steel Mill Union leaders on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by Shamshad Qureshi of People’s Unity, Saleem Gill of Insaf Union and Asim Bhatti of Jamaat-e-Islami Union, trade union leader Karamat Ali and others. Secretary Labor Rashid Solangi and senior officers of Labor Department were also present on the occasion.

The meeting reviewed the implementation of the decisions taken in the previous meetings. Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that the Sindh government has implemented all the decisions taken in the earlier meetings. He said that Chief Minister Sindh has included Ikramullah Dharijo, Minister for Industries, in the sub-committee of Sindh Cabinet on Steel Mill.

‘ The stance of the Sindh government and the PPP leadership on the steel mill issue is clear. Workers’ rights will be protected, ‘ he added .

He said that the Chief Minister would take up the matter in the today’s meeting of CCI. The Sindh government will soon write a comprehensive letter to the federal government against forced dismissal of workers and privatization of steel mill.
The provincial information minister said that Sindh chief minister Sindh has discussed revival of steel mill with Russian delegation who met him the other day Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that the Sindh government would be as a party in the ongoing case on the steel mill issue in the Supreme Court. Provincial Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah telephoned IG Sindh on complaints of theft of billions of rupees of assets of steel mills and directed to appoint a competent police officer to investigate the matter. Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that theft of assets worth billions of rupees from Steel Mill is a serious matter.

After transperant enquiry FIR should be registered against those involved. He directed IG Sindh police to establish police picket to secure billions of rupees worth of assets of the steel mill. On the occasion, Shamshad Qureshi of People’s Unity said that President Asif Ali Zardari had signed an MoU with Russia for the revival of the steel mill, but it could not be implemented after the completion of the term of the PPP government. He requested that consultation on the revival of steel mill with Russian delegation under MoU signed during PPP government at federal government. Trade union leader Karamat Ali and others also spoke on the occasion.
Meanwhile, A Russian delegation led by St. Petersburg government advisor Andray Zubal called on to Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah at Ali House last night. Consul General of Russia in Karachi Dr. Aleksandr G. Kozin and others included in the delegation, while Asadullah Khan, MD Water Board and officials of Local Government Department were present in the meeting to assist the Provincial Minister for Local Government.

The Russian delegation expressed interest in investing in waste-to-energy projects in Sindh province. Talking with delegation , Syed Nasir Hussain Shah assured that the Sindh government would provide all facilities to Russian investors. He added that we are grateful to Russia who had gifted steel mill project to people of Pakistan. ‘ Sindh government is interested in revival of steel mill and Wd request delegation for technical assistance for the revival of the steel mill,’ the minister added.

Syed Nasir Hussain Shah told the delegation that vast opportunities in the province exist in fields of waste to energy ; water treatment plants and desalination plants. He suggested that Russian investors should take advantage of investment opportunities in Hyderabad and Sukkur. The Provincial Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah also invited the delegation to visit Sukkur. On the occasion, the delegation said that St. Petersburg government would provide economic and technical assistance to the Government of Sindh in various fields.