KARACHI, PAKISTAN: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah inaugurated the 18^th My Karachi – Oasis of Harmony Exhibition here at Expo Center on Friday.

Commenting on My Karachi Exhibition, CM said that My Karachi Exhibition, whose 18th edition has been staged today, was initiated in 2004 by Late Siraj Kassam Teli who was always being missed by him.

“Since I assumed charge as CM, I always attend this event as it is one of the most important events of the provincial capital, hence, I make sure that I should be here”, he added.

“We have restored the glories of Karachi and we will try really hard to further improve the situation so that Karachi could become more peaceful. There are issues but we will never give up. We have defeated terrorism and we will also completely eradicate other crimes from the city as well”, CM vowed.

Commenting on ongoing census all over the country, CM said that the population of Sindh has been undercounted which needs to be rectified. “It is our responsibility to make the ongoing census successful which would only become successful when every single individual is counted.”

Additional IG Javed Alam Odho, in his remarks, appreciated KCCI for having the courage to hold My Karachi Exhibition despite the fact that a terrorists’ strike took place recently at Karachi Police Office which was swiftly thwarted by Sindh Police, Rangers and Commandos of Pakistan Army.

“Exhibitions like My Karachi are very important to generate business activities and restore the confidence of business community”, he said, adding that Karachi is back to normalcy which can be gauged from the fact that 95 percent spectators attended PSL match the very next day which was followed by PIMEC and now My Karachi Exhibition was also taking place which has been provided foolproof security. All these activities not only help in generating economic activities but are also a source of entertainment for the people of Karachi.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman BMG & CE TDAP Zubair Motiwala, said, “We hold this exhibition to showcase what we are manufacturing and how open we are for businesses. Karachi, which generates 54 percent of exports and 68 percent of country’s revenue, is undoubtedly the financial capital of Pakistan”, he added.

While highly appreciating the presence of large number of participants from the diplomatic community, he said that everything was good in Karachi which was a resilient city and the minor incidents happening in Karachi were not unusual as such incidents were happening in developed cities like New York also. He requested the diplomatic community to convey the message to their respective countries that Karachi is a peaceful and vibrant city where economic, commercial and industrial activities were going on without any interruption.

Paying tribute to CM Sindh for once again attending My Karachi’s inauguration ceremony as Chief Guest, Zubair Motiwala said that our intention for staging this exhibition was to not only present the soft image of Karachi but also tell the world that the Government of Sindh and Government of Pakistan were seriously working towards resolving the issues being faced by Karachiites.

“The launch of Red Bus and Pink Bus Service by Sindh government is an applaudable move which has helped in resolving the transportation issue to a great extent.”

Referring to Chief Minister’s demand pertaining to release of funds for completion of K-IV project, he said that this was a very crucial project for Karachi as the city desperately requires water. He also welcomed Sindh government’s resolve to effectively deal with law-and-order situation of Karachi.

“All members of Sindh Cabinet have been very cooperative who promptly respond to KCCI’s requests”, he said while particularly acknowledging the prompt response being received from Saeed Ghani, Jam Ikramullah Khan Dharejo, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Sharjeel Memon and other members of Sindh’s cabinet

Despite several challenges particularly exorbitantly high energy tariffs, Zubair Motiwala said, although there were problems but the situation would improve with the passage of time as this was not the first time when Pakistan faces dire shortage of foreign reserves.

“During Benazir Bhutto’s era, total foreign reserves stood at US$493 million only and when Gen. Musharraf came in, the country foreign reserves were hardly US$452 million which later improved to US$17 billion. We are a resilient nation so we will pick up pace again. Karachi and Pakistan will get back on the track to progress and prosperity”, he added.

Earlier, President KCCI Mohammed Tariq Yousuf, while welcoming the Chief Minister, his cabinet members and all the dignitaries, said that the objective of My Karachi Exhibition was to connect locals with foreign investors, to rebuild the soft image of Karachi and develop sustainable relationships for generating economic activities. “The Karachi Chamber, despite limited capacity, has been playing an instrumental role in successfully organizing this mega exhibition, which attracts hundreds and thousands of participants.”