ALKHOBAR, 19 March 2004 — The government of Pakistan has always expressed a keenness for foreign investment, saying that its borders are open and welcoming to foreign investors. But the reality seems to be something else. Saudi businessman Rasheed Al-Hussan has experienced nothing but frustration. His $10 million project has been mired in red tape for the past six years, even though everyone including Prime Minister Jamali has assured him assistance.
Rasheed Hussan whose family is a pioneer in education in the Eastern Province wants to open a high quality school in Pakistan. Hussan has a soft corner for Pakistan because he had part of his education there. “I want to do something for Pakistan. And since education is in our blood, I thought I would do something in the area I am familiar with. Karachi has very good schools, but I feel it does not have excellent ones, so I thought, I would give Karachi that.”
Six years ago, Hussan applied for permission to open a school. The government welcomed his application and KDA was asked to allot him five acres of land. He ultimately was given only 3.7 acres in Clifton, a well-known Karachi neighborhood. Al-Hussan was not able to start the project due to a deterioration in the security situation in Karachi, then the government changed and KDA cancelled the land allotment.
He went to Karachi to get a stay order from the courts. “That is still in effect, but unfortunately, in the last six years, even the courts have not decided the case,” he said.
Last year Hussan met Prime Minister Jamali and he was given assurances that his project would see the light of the day soon, but that he would have to take an alternative and smaller piece of land somewhere in Korangi. “I was willing to make that compromise too. I wanted to show that a good school is not limited by location,” Hussan added.
But one year has passed and nothing has happened. Hussan is really frustrated. He says that if this is the way Pakistan government treats investors, they will go elsewhere. “I can invest in other places. I only wanted to do something for Pakistan because I love it and consider it my second home. People think Saudi Arabia has the red tape. But in this country foreign investors can get things done in days. There is a one-window service here. I am really disappointed with the Pakistan government.”
Rasheed Hussan has over 17 schools and training centers in the Eastern Province. “We are the oldest and the biggest educators in the Eastern Province. I wanted to share that with the Pakistanis. I am not opening a factory, but an institution for learning, which will benefit the people.”
