- City is poised for modernisation, with a focus on education, employment and healthcare
Conversation with Syed Shafqat Ali Shah — CEO, Shafqat Ali Shah Construction Company
Profile:
Syed Shafqat Ali Shah is an energetic young man with the sense of business and legal mind, working in his capacity to empower his community. Currently, he is working as CEO Shafqat Ali Shah Construction Company. He is a legal advisor of Sindh Building Control Authority, IBA community colleges Sukkur and Alfalah bank division Sukkur. He’s an MBA from COMSAT Sukkur and he did his LLB as well. He is an innovative entrepreneur and manages business. He is very ambitious and keen to work for the city of Sukkur to empower the people of Sindh.
Pakistan & Gulf Economist had an exclusive conversation with Syed Shafqat Ali Shah about Sukkur, the third largest city of Sindh. Following are the excerpts of the conversation:
Sukkur, a city located in Sindh province of Pakistan, carries old and rich history with deeply ingrained cultural diversity and economic importance. The history goes back to 5,000 years old civilisation that is majestic and has strong footprint in the historical discourse. The undeniable evidence of advanced urban planning and trade activities have been unearthed when the entire world in the shackle of ignorance, this was the place on the earth that was shining north star, aiming to guide other civilisations on the planet. British colonial period further improved infrastructure, architecture and engineering in terms of development and developing rural villages into full fledge operational towns with all available facilities of irrigation, linking canals to the mainstream cities and spreading network of road and railway for improved transportation.
The construction of Sukkur Bridge in 1932 has been pivotal in transforming Sukkur into an essential agricultural centre by facilitating irrigation and ensuring a stable water supply for the fertile plains. Furthermore, Sukkur’s geographical position as transportation hub has played historical role in boosting commercial activities across Pakistan, connecting various parts of Sindh and beyond. The city’s geographical location, therefore, underscores its historical, agricultural, economic and educational center, symbolising what Pakistan needs in the modern times.
Sukkur has potential to be true city of modern needs making efficient service delivery by keeping people as priority. That is its strength. The ruins of Aror, gives an insight into the beautiful history of Sindh as it was ancestral town of Aror dynasty. Most of the Aror’s ruins have been lost but some notable places still exists such as Kalka Cave Temple, Chattan Shah Ji Takri and Raja Dahraj. Aror once served as the capital of the Sindh.
Agriculture plays an important role in shaping our economic indicators. Pakistan, by and large has been agricultural country, and we have been sufficient in meeting our needs from our fertile soil. Sindh’s agricultural prosperity is deeply rooted in its fertile lands irrigated by the Indus River. The region cultivates a variety of crops, rice, sugarcane and fruits. There is need of utilisation of modern techniques and innovative tools to be used in agriculture to enhance productivity.
The Sukkur barrage, a marvel of engineering, ensures a reliable water supply, making the region breadbasket for the country. During Kharif, rice, bajra, cotton, tomato and peas are cultivated; whereas during Rabi, the main crops are wheat, barley, graham and melons. Sukkur is famous all over world for its dates which often are exported internationally. Sukkur also has a large riverine forest along with the course of Indus.
Now, let’s turn our attention to education. How has Sukkur developed in terms of schools and universities? Education sector in Sukkur has seen remarkable growth. The city boasts a mix of public and private schools that cater to the educational needs of a diverse student population.
1. The Sukkur IBA University (previously Sukkur Institute of Business Administration or Sukkur IBA) is a business school founded in 1994. The institute is ranked 3rd among the five independent business schools of Pakistan included in the Higher Education Commission Pakistan Business School Ranking 2013. The Sukkur IBA’s struggle and experience is amazing, Prof. Nisar Siddiqui initiated this project with two rooms in IBA Public School and amazed the world with his magic and hard work.
2. Begum Nusrat Bhutto Women University is the public sector university exclusively for women. Established on 50 acre of land at the Rohri Bypass N-5 National Highway where more than a 1100 female students coming from underprivileged areas are getting education under 12 different disciplines/programmes.
BNB Women University is hub for minority students of Pakistan, where Hindu and Christian girls can seek education comfortable without any fear and intimidation.
3. The Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College is a constituent College of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University.
4. The Aror University of Art, Architecture, Design and Heritages is established near Sukkur at Rohri bypass N-5 National Highway. The university is offering the graduate, postgraduate an advance studies in the field of architecture, textile design, photography, interior design, civil engineering, communication design, ceramics and other disciplines.
5. Islamia Science College Sukkur was founded by the Syed Hasan Mian Advocate and he remained the Chief Patron of the college till his death, Syed Hasan Mian advocate with the help of Noble families of Sukkur founded 25schools and vocational centres in Sukkur. He was the General Secretary of All India Muslim League and close associate of Founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
6. Ziauddin University Sukkur Campus Sukkur a well reputed institute of Medical & Health Sciences is located at Shikarpur Road.
7. Allama Iqbal Open University is a well known distance educational institute located at National Highway opposite Begum Nusrat Bhutto Women University, Rohri@ Sukkur. Its covered area is 23,760 Sft.
8. Dawood University recently established Centre of Entrepreneurship Management and Emerging Technologies at Sukkur on August 8, 2023. The commitment to quality education is evident in the city’s efforts to provide accessible and diverse learning opportunities.
Employment policies
Moving forward, let’s discuss employment opportunities. How has Sukkur evolved in terms of job markets and economic prospects?
Sukkur has experienced positive economic trends, leading to a rise in employment opportunities. The thriving agricultural sector provides jobs for many, from farming to agribusiness. Additionally, the city’s strategic location as a transportation hub has spurred trade and commerce, creating openings in logistics and related industries.
Sukkur’s growing education sector has also resulted in demand for skilled professionals. Sukkur’s economy is largely reliant upon the agricultural produce from northern Sindh’s farms, and serves as a trading and processing center for agricultural goods. The city also once had a bustling shipbuilding industry. Technological innovation is required to improve agricultural output. There has to be link between academia and industries located in big cities of other provinces. Law and order must be controlled in the city with effective policing and addressing the feudal mindset and family rivalries. Without security, law and order and peace, there cannot be economic improvement of the masses.
Health facilities
Health sector in Sukkur is superb. Sukkur also has developed in terms of service delivery for patients. Health care has been priority of the government. All the major diseases are tackled in nearby hospitals. With increasing population, it is essential to take care of their health and fight against deadly diseases.
The following measures has been taken for improvement in the health sector:
1. Government of Sindh has demonstrated a commitment to advancing healthcare in Sukkur through the establishment of several state-of-the-art medical facilities. Notably, the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) has inaugurated its fifth cutting-edge 300-bed center in Sukkur, marking the second-largest cardiac hospital in Sindh after NICVD Karachi. This facility is instrumental in providing free heart-related surgeries to a substantial number of patients, contributing significantly to cardiac care in the region.
2. Ghulam Muhammad Medical Hospital, Sukkur: This medical facility is poised to provide a broad spectrum of healthcare services, catering to the diverse medical needs of the local population its also serving as a teaching hospital for GMC sukkur.
3. Child Healthcare Hospital, Sukkur: A notable milestone in pediatric healthcare has been achieved with the establishment of the Child Healthcare Institute in Sukkur. With 200 beds and state-of-the-art facilities, this hospital stands as a testament to the government’s dedication to children’s health. Situated on a sprawling 27-acre land adjacent to Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College and supported by the South Korean government with an investment of US $57.274 million, the Child Healthcare Institute serves as a beacon for advanced pediatric medical services, addressing the unique healthcare needs of children in the region.
4. Government of Sindh recently inaugurated Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) Medical Complex Sukkur which has set a new benchmark of a major tertiary care centre providing state-of-the-art healthcare facilities for the underprivileged population of the province.