Efforts have been expedited to establish Information Technology (IT) University which would play a major role in transforming Faisalabad into “Cyberabad”, said Deputy Commissioner Faisalabad Ali Anan Qamar.
He was addressing the maiden meeting with the business community of Faisalabad at the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI). He underlined the importance of IT in the overall development of Pakistan and said that Faisalabad is an iconic symbol of textiles and it is an appreciable vision of Dr. Khurram Tariq President FCCI to transform this city into a hub of IT. He said that land in the old vegetable market is lying vacant for the IT university and we must take immediate measures before it is encroached upon by unscrupulous elements.
He said that the University of Agriculture was ready to provide much-needed support for this university as with this addition Pakistan could earn billions of dollars of foreign exchange. Deputy Commissioner also appreciated the philanthropic spirit of local inhabitants and said that businessmen were the most generous community as they had dispatched 7000 quilts, woollies, and ration in addition to cash of Rs. 15 million for the earthquake victims of Türkiye. He also eulogized the contribution of FCCI in doling out help and succor to the flood victims in Pakistan in addition to the construction of their damaged houses.
He said, “You people are actually serving humanity and Allah Almighty would certainly give you a befitting reward.” About FIEDMC, he said that it has different issues including security-related matters and we would resolve the same in consultation with the stakeholders. Commenting on the uplift of labor welfare schools, he requested President FCCI to pinpoint the issues so that these could be settled within the available resources. He appreciated the proposal to link M3 with M4 and said that he would take up this issue with high-ups of NHA. He also assured to discuss the expansion of the airport with the Civil Aviation Authority.
Commenting on the WASA-related problems, he said that most of the issues in main city areas have been resolved, however, still these are prevalent in the suburban areas of the city. He said that WASA has been directed to gear up its efforts to facilitate the masses at the earliest within the available means. About his landmark “Jagmug Faisalabad” program, he said that important roads in commercial areas are being cleaned on a priority basis. “The dust is also being removed in addition to the beautification of the green belts”, he said and added that torn-out banners and streamers are also being removed from the pools.
He said that stray dogs are eliminated while the overall lit condition is also being improved in the selected areas. He said that in this connection, he would visit Sargodha Road tomorrow. The Deputy Commissioner also mentioned the safe city project and said that it is directly linked with the release of funds, however, he would take up this issue with the concerned officials. He said that if this project was successfully operative in Lahore and Islamabad, it must be launched in Faisalabad. He further said that it would also help in arresting street crimes. On the demand of president FCCI, he assured to provide a ramp for ascending and descending from the main canal road to the eastern service lane in front of the FCCI complex.
Earlier Dr. Khurram Tariq President of FCCI explained in detail the problems confronted by this dynamic city and said that it is the most connected city of Punjab and Pakistan. He said that all major trade unions are affiliated with FCCI while its 8,000 members belong to 118 sectors and sub-sectors of the economy. He said that the major job of FCCI was to advocate for the problems confronted by its members and in this connection, we have close liaison with the district manager in addition to provincial and central governments.
He also explained the role of FCCI during recent floods and said that we have provided ration and other items of daily use to the isolated people of coastal belts in addition to far-flung areas that were neglected by the Army and administration. President said that he had fixed a tri-pronged strategy to provide the best possible education to the children of the workers. He pinpointed some problems faced by the labor welfare schools and said that these could be resolved only by improving the governance and administration. He also highlighted the role of FCCI in launching direct international flights from Faisalabad and said that the number of weekly flights was 125 which was reduced to 80 due to the pandemic.
