KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, during a meeting, has instructed the Industries Department to develop a comprehensive business plan for the Sindh Industrial Trading Estate Limited (S.I.T.E) and the Sindh Small Industries Corporation (SSIC). This initiative aims to promote industrialization, enhance the economy, and generate employment opportunities.
According to Chief Minister Sindh, the directive came as part of a review of the issues and development schemes within the industries department. The meeting, held at the CM House, was attended by officials including Minister Industries Jam Ikram Dharejo and Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah. Discussions revealed financial challenges faced by SITE Ltd, which struggles to pay salaries and pensions due to overemployment. Currently, SITE Ltd has an annual expenditure of Rs.2.592 billion against a revenue of Rs.2 billion, resulting in a shortfall of approximately Rs.593 million.
The infrastructure at Nooriabad and Kotri is reportedly in poor condition, with allocated funds under the Annual Development Program (ADP) 2024-25 deemed insufficient. Minister Industries requested an Rs.800 million annual grant and a one-time Rs.500 million grant for operational expenditures, along with Rs.2 billion for infrastructure rehabilitation at SITE Nooriabad and Kotri.
Similarly, SSIC is experiencing financial constraints, with excessive employment from 2008 to 2014 leading to difficulties in disbursing salaries and pensions. The SSIC has 656 employees and 268 pensioners, with an annual expenditure of Rs.934.862 million against a recovery of Rs.229.323 million. An annual grant of Rs.400 million for salaries and pensions was requested, alongside a bailout package of Rs.600 million for salary and pension dues. Furthermore, Rs.1.2 billion is needed for infrastructure development across various industrial areas.
The Chief Minister has directed the Industries Department to submit a detailed development plan for the industrial estates and to propose a bailout package. Additionally, the CM has instructed the chief secretary to initiate restructuring efforts for SITE and the Small Industries to ensure their professional and financial stability.