KP CM stresses local industries’ uplift

–Mahmood says 17 Industrial zones will be established in different districts of the province

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan on Saturday said that Rashakai Special Economic Zone will generate 50 thousand direct jobs and lakhs of indirect jobs in the province. This will also contribute to the vision of Prime Minister to give 5 million jobs in the next coming years in Pakistan. Chief Minister directed that all necessary things must be completed in this regard so that work on Rashakai Special Economic Zone could be started immediately and to complete it on a priority basis. He said that his government will not compromise on the timelines and quality, he added.

The chief minister presided over a meeting regarding Rashakai Special Economic Zone project at Chief Minister House, Peshawar. Finance Minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra, Special Assistant to CM on Industry Abdul Karim, provincial government spokesman Ajmal Khan Wazir, Additional Chief Secretary Shehzad Bangash, Commissioner Peshawar Shahab Ali Shah, Head of Strategic Support Unit Sahibzada Saeed, Administrative Secretaries, Chief Executive Officer EZDMC and other relevant officials participated in the meeting.

The meeting also briefed about all MoUs and the latest position of the project. He directed that the pace of work must be expedited for early completion of the project.

CM Mahmood also said that Rashakai is the centre of the province and is also closely connected to Motorway thus it will also pave the way for the industrialization of all other parts of the province. The Chief Minister further said besides Rashakai Economic Zone work on Hattar and D.I.Khan Economic Zones will also be expeditiously started for greater economic development of the province. “17 Industrial zones will be established in different districts of the province”, he added.

The CM also called a meeting next Monday regarding latest updates on different CPEC and other projects in the province. He said that the previous federal government completely isolated this province from the CPEC project. The provincial government of PTI struggled and made it possible to include this province also in the CPEC. The Chief Minister directed that roadmap should be developed for its own transmission and distribution system for the provision of locally produced electricity to industrial zones. He said this province has the potential to create more economic zones by utilizing its own resources.

The chief minister said that the provision of locally produced hydropower to industries without any interruption will create jobs besides attracting investments in the province. This will also boost economy and industry in the province, he added. The Chief Minister directed that work on the ongoing projects of CPEC in the province should be further accelerated. He said that the new projects specially hydel power, Chashma lift canal, agriculture productivity, Halal food, cottage industry and other such projects of the province would change the socio-economic complexion of the province. The chief minister directed that all requirements must be completed within the time for Chashma lift canal project so as to present this project in the relevant federal forum. The chief minister directed that updates on all MoUs of national and international investors should be collected and be produced in the next meeting for concrete and solid decisions.