Mian Rasheed Asghar
FAISALABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will start two weekly direct flights between Faisalabad and Quetta from March next year, said Mr. Atif Munir Sheikh, President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI).
He was addressing a joint meeting of the four standing committees of the FCCI. He said that a large number of businessmen from Faisalabad travel to Quetta in connection with the businesses and purchase of raw material etc. “The road and train travel is very lengthy, time consuming and unsafe”, he said and added that it takes many days which is sheer wastage of time. He said that he took up this issue with PIA officials who have assured that from March 2022, PIA will start at least two weekly flights between Faisalabad and Quetta. President FCCI criticized the unexpected concessions accorded to the industrial sector in erstwhile FATA and said that it would have negative impact on the industry already working in other parts of the country. He said that this disparity has forced a large number of industrial units to close down which would render hundreds of workers jobless. He demanded equal facilities and incentives for all industries so that a healthy and productive competition could be ensured. He asked Ashfaq Ashraf chairman FCCI standing committee on Foundry to identify the core issues of this sector along with their workable solutions so that these problems could be highlighted and taken up at the Government level. About Pakistan Railways, he said that a fast non-stop Millat train was started between Faisalabad and Karachi which was getting full passenger load but due to unnecessary interference of the influential elements this train has been turned into a passenger train which is discouraging frequent travelers from Faisalabad as it has increased the traveling time. He demanded that this train must be restored in its original shape. He further said that Pakistan Railways was contemplating to start a new fast train between Shorkot and Lahore via Faisalabad. He said that this train may be declared a passenger train between Gojra to Faisalabad in order to facilitate the workers who are using roads for their daily travel to their working places. Commenting on the increasing accidents on canal road, he said that a joint meeting with Deputy Commissioner, FDA and TEPA will be arranged very soon to remodel this road to avoid rampant traffic accidents. He said that FCCI members should also submit their proposals in this regard so that the dangerous U-turns could be modified with traffic friendly diversions. He further said that on behalf of FCCI, he has already written a letter to the education department to launch a continuous traffic awareness campaign for students so that they could be made addicted to the traffic rules. The meeting was also attended by Mr. Atta Ullah Chairman Standing Committee on Allied Engineering, Mirza Zahid Iqbal Chairman Standing Committee on Light Engineering and Mirza Hadayat Ullah Chairman FCCI Standing Committee on Railways in addition to the Executive Members Mian Abdul Waheed and Haji Abdur Rauf. They also presented their trade specific problems.
[21/12, 6:58 pm] Mian Rasheed Asghar Fsd: MA Rashid.
FAISALABAD: On the directions of CM Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar, as many as 8 Christmas Bazars would be functional in
Faisalabad district from today 22 December in order to provide essential commodities to the
Christian community on subsidized prices for the celebrations of Christmas. The Saste bazars would remain active till 24 December from 9 am to 5 pm. This was informed by Deputy Commissioner Ali Shahzad during a meeting held here DC Office to review the arrangements of Christmas celebrations in district. Deputy Commissioner told that these special Christmas bazaars would be set up Saint Anthony School Model Town, Pinto Ground Warispua, Esa Nagri Ghulam Muhammad Abad, Khurrianlwala Chowk Jaranwala road, Old Tanga Stand near
Fire brigade Jaranwala, Water Works Chiniot road Chak Jhumra, Sahulat Bazar Gojra road Samundri and Christian Colony Mohallah Shamaspura Tandlianwala. The Deputy Commissioner informed that flour, sugar, ghee, pulses, meat, poultry items, vegetables & fruits and other essential commodities would be available in Christmas bazaars on
control and subsidized prices to ease the Christian community for Christmas celebrations. Deputy Commissioner has said that district administration would made necessary security and administrative
arrangements in connection with the Christmas celebrations and concerned departments have been directed for cleanliness of
surroundings of the churches besides ensuring repairing of roads and street lights. He said that special arrangement would be ensured at
the public parks and picnic points for the celebrations of Christmas.
He said strict security arrangements, vehicle parking, traffic managements were being made on Christmas. Representative of Christian Community thanked the Deputy Commissioner for making the comprehensive
arrangements for the Christmas celebrations.
