Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Talat Mahmood has strongly condemned the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against an industrialist and business leader from North Karachi Industrial Area under the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation Act, 2023.
Terming the move an apparently vindictive action, Talat Mahmood said the circumstances surrounding the case raised serious questions about the conduct and intentions of the officials involved.
Expressing concern over the development, he stated that the industrialist had consistently highlighted the persistent water, gas and electricity crises affecting manufacturers, industrialists and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in North Karachi Industrial Area.
He said that instead of addressing the genuine concerns of the industrial community and resolving longstanding utility problems, the concerned authorities appeared to have targeted the individual raising these issues.
Talat Mahmood pointed out that the business community was already facing an extremely challenging operating environment due to persistent shortages and disruptions in essential utilities.
He said inadequate water supplies, prolonged gas shortages and electricity-related problems had severely disrupted industrial production, increased operational costs, weakened business competitiveness and threatened the survival of SMEs.
“It is deeply regrettable that instead of demonstrating responsiveness to the genuine grievances of industrialists, the concerned authorities appear more interested in confronting industrialists,” he said.
He added that public institutions were responsible for facilitating citizens, protecting businesses and resolving problems through lawful and transparent means rather than creating an atmosphere of fear among business representatives.
The KCCI president categorically demanded the immediate withdrawal and cancellation of what he described as a fabricated and mala fide case against the industrialist.
He also called upon the authorities to ensure that no further harassment, intimidation or coercive action was taken against him.