1,579 industrial units closed down in five years

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Industries and Production Mir Hazar Khan Bijrani on Thursday said that a total 1,579 industrial units were closed down during the last five years leaving 7,530 workers jobless.

Responding during question hour in Senate, he said 115 units were closed down in Punjab, 700 in Sindh, 688 in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, 29 in Balochistan and 47 units under Export Process Zones Authority (EPZA).

He said approximately 7,000 workers rendered jobless in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and 530 in EPZA due to closure of these units.

In reply to a question he said all these units were closed down due to financial and partnership problem.

Dispelling the impression of inefficiency of the government in closure of these unit, he said the units were closed before year 2008.

Responding another question Bijarini said the development projects executed during the last five years were geared to act as demonstration effect to provide skill development, common training facilities, technological transfer and common machinery pools.

The basic thrust of the development projects was on technology driven growth within a framework, which encourage economy of scale, value addition and diversification of products in order to make our products competitive in the international markets, he added.

Replying to another question regarding reinstatement of sacked employees the minister said these people were previously politically victimized and were rendered jobless.

He said the incumbent government had reviewed the cases of these sacked employees and reinstated them purely on merit, adding, the restored employees were posted only where required.