KARACHI: Chaudhri Nazir Ahmad Khan, Industries Minister, told Pressmen ... on Monday [April 24] that patronising Pakistan products was of `vital importance` for the development of the existing cottage industries in the country. He said he would introduce a Bill during the next Assembly session for the establishment of a finance corporation to afford financial help to small industries.

Through the proposed Bill ... he would ask for a sum of Rs 50,00,000 from the Central Government for the financial assistance of small industries. Co-operative societies will also be set up in all the provinces with a view to advancing loans to small-scale cottage industries, he said. Staff correspondent [Meanwhile, according to Dawn`s Karachi correspondent,] the Government of Pakistan propose to set up a Central Generating Station in Karachi to meet the ever-increasing demand for electricity, disclosed Chaudhri Nazir Ahmad, Pakistan`s Minister for Industries ... yesterday (Monday). ... [O] f the electricity position ... [he] said that the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation, with its two power houses, one diesel and one thermal, has an output of 8,500-9,000 kw as against the peak of 9,400 kw.