PM Nawaz inaugurates Pakistan's largest oil refinery in Hub

KARACHI (Web Desk) - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived in Karachi today on a day-long visit and inaugurated an oil refinery in Hub, an industrial area of Balochistan, neighbouring the port city.

The premiere was received by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and provincial cabinet members along with senior officials at the airport.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar and Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastagir Khan.

PM Nawaz Sharif inaugurated an oil refinery in Hub industrial area. The event was also attended by Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik besides Sindh chief minister and governor.

Speaking on the occassion, the prime minister termed the establishment of oil refinery in Balochistan an "important milestone".

He said the oil refinery would lead to economic development in the province and provide employment opportunities to the citizens.

He said some $750 million would be invested the second phase of the oil refinery project.

Later in the day, the prime minister will attend a meeting in Karachi to review the city’s law and order situation. The PM is also scheduled to hold a meeting with members of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).

Key decisions are likely to be made during the PM’s visit in the wake of a shocking report of Sindh Rangers DG Maj General Bilal Akbar which revealed that more than Rs230 billion are being generated annually from Karachiites through extortion and other illegal means. The army officer added that a huge part of said amount was also being used for terror-funding, Lyari gang war and criminal activities across the city.

“In Karachi, none other than the top political leaders are godfathering extortionists, landgrabbers, smugglers, gangsters, militants and water-tanker mafia,” the DG said on Thursday in a briefing given to the Apex Committee, formed under Pakistan’s anti-terror National Action Plan (NAP).