KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah chaired a joint meeting of Pakistan Steel Mills’ management and unions, making key decisions. He said the provincial government will take care of hospitals, schools, and colleges linked to the Steel Mills to ensure public facilities are not affected.
He stressed the revival of Pakistan Steel Mills and the welfare of its workers, saying, “I want the issues of Steel Mills workers to be solved quickly.” He mentioned that 700 acres of land have been set aside to restart the mills, while the management and related ministry are working on a feasibility study for a new steel plant.
He expressed regret over the federal government’s decision to close the mills, stating, “Removing employees harms the revival process.”
The Chief Minister said he will request Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to reinstate 1,370 employees sacked before Ramadan, as well as 49 interns and skilled workers let go in 2020-21. He directed the Water Board to restore water supply to Steel Town immediately.
He announced that a 100-bed hospital, school, and college will reopen, and the Sindh government will manage them. Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah was instructed to make these institutions functional soon.
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Union representatives raised concerns about high electricity service charges. The Steel Mills CEO explained that the organization pays 30 million rupees monthly for electricity, while Steel Town residents pay only 12 million rupees, causing losses. He added that the mills buy electricity at 60 rupees per unit. The Chief Minister ordered this issue to be resolved on priority.
Murad Ali Shah announced 5 million rupees for the family of Steel Mills worker Saleem Khushk, who was recently killed. He also said workers yet to receive compensation should be considered reinstated.
He formed a committee led by the Karachi Commissioner to review residential rents and electricity rates in Steel Town. The Steel Mills CEO and Secretary of Production assured they would get federal approval to clear dues within four weeks.
The Chief Minister emphasized, “If we want to revive Pakistan Steel, firing workers is not right. I will raise this with the Prime Minister and try to resolve all issues in six weeks.”
Provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, Shahid Thaheem, Saeed Ghani, Special Assistant to CM Waqar Mehdi, Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah, IG Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, and other officials attended. Union representatives also joined the meeting and shared their concerns.
