Call for new industrial zone in Hyderabad

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has expressed alarm over the complete lack of new industrial development in Hyderabad as its population continues to grow rapidly. Adeel Siddiqui, an Executive Committee member of the FPCCI, pointed out that despite the city's population expansion, no new industrial zones have been established since the existing SITE area was created in 1952.

SITE Hyderabad, located over 1,264 acres, houses 665 units, with around 450 of them operational. However, despite being the second-largest industrial zone in Sindh, SITE has been allowed to deteriorate, with industrialists facing challenging road conditions described as "like a war zone." The infrastructure, including roads, water supply, drainage and treatment plants, has largely deteriorated due to heavy truck and container traffic.

The rising commercial and real estate value of land in SITE has made it financially impractical for new industries to establish themselves, as the cost of acquiring land alone is prohibitive. Siddiqui questioned why the government continued to neglect new industrial zones while the existing SITE had become unattractive for new businesses.

He emphasized that without new, affordable industrial zones, Hyderabad would struggle to attract fresh investments and create jobs. He criticized the government for collecting over Rs1.5 trillion in infrastructure cess on imports over five years, yet failing to use the funds effectively for industrial development. Siddiqui demanded transparency in the utilization of these funds, noting that only Rs1.10 billion had been approved for road and drainage works, yet progress remained elusive.