Opinion |
Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated the Allama Iqbal Industrial City (M3) Faisalabad, a special economic zone (SEZ) on Friday, Jan 3rd. This special economic zone is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Prime Minister addressed the civil servants of Pakistan to work fearlessly after the amendment in the NAB ordinance that protects civil servants to deliver in their domains. Prime Minister directly addressed Azam Suleman Khan, the Chief Secretary Punjab to make sure that the recent changes to the NAB Ordinance were implemented, and they are in place primarily to protect the civil servants and to eliminate any threat from NAB to perform their duties. The Prime Minister quoted “They were afraid to sign on files but that will not be an excuse anymore so we hope that work will progress at a rapid pace”
The ceremony was attended by many key civil servants including the newly appointed Inspector General Punjab Police, Shoaib Dastagir. The PM commended the IGP’s recent efforts to curb the criminal and mafia gangs and asserted the hope that there will be a swift action against such mafias to eliminate them from operating.
Punjab Industries Department is launching several cities across Punjab. In March later this year they are launching mega project near shaikhapura called Quaid e Azam Business Park with an area of 1500 acres
The groundbreaking ceremony of the Allama Iqbal Industrial City was organized by Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (FIEDMC). The FIEDMIC was first inaugurated in 2004 by Jahangir Khan Tareen during his tenure as Industries Minister Punjab. FIEDMIC was formed on the basis of the Public-Private partnership to achieve strategically planned industrialization. It launched its first project in 2007 called Value Addition City, located 1.5 km off from Khurrianwala a city on Faislabad – Sheikhupura road 35 KM from the center of Faisalabad.
Later, the Faisalabad Industrial city M3 was launched located on motorway M-4 at Sahianwala Interchange. Later the 4315 Acres of Land at M-3 Industrial City Special Economic Zone was further expanded into 3217 acres of land under the name of Allama Iqbal Industrial City Priority Special Economic Zone. This special economic zone has been designed on international standards to fulfill the needs of international markets.
During PMs’ short visit to Faisalabad, several key government officials accompanied him including Chief Minister Punjab, Usman Buzdar, Governor Punjab, Mohamed Sarwar, The Chairman Board of Investment, Zubair Gillani, the chairman CPEC Authority Gen. Retd. Asim Bajwa, Jahangir Khan Tareen, Commerce Minister Razaq Dawood, and Punjab Industries Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal.
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Also speaking at the occasion, Mian Kashif Ashfaq, the chairman of FIEDMC appreciated the support of both the Federal and Punjab government for the successful implementation of the project. Mian Kashif requested the Prime Minister to create a new interchange after the Pindi Bhatia to facilitate the industrial development in the area and also highlighted the need for a link road connecting M3 & M4 motorways together for faster trade movement. Mian Kashif also thanked Razaq Dawood, the commerce minister and asked for EDF (Economic Development Fund) funding for increasing exports for wealth and employment creation.
During the speech, the Prime Minister welcomed the initiative, praised Mian Aslam Iqbal, the industries minister to provide support in the creation of a favorable environment and electric and water supply for the rapid implementation of this project. Punjab Industries Department is launching several cities across Punjab. In March later this year, they are launching mega-project near Sheikhupura called Quaid e Azam Business Park with an area of 1500 acres.
The Prime Minister during his address called CPEC as a golden opportunity for industrial development and these special economic zones as the first steps towards the mega economic development phase.
The government terms these CPEC zones as lifelines of Pakistan’s industrial development that will generate over 2 million employment opportunities and help Pakistan increase its exports across several sectors
The Prime Minister said “Many Chinese industrialists want to invest in Pakistan. I met many Chinese businessmen during my visit to China last year and they showed a keen interest in investing here, provided we give them a suitable environment. This SEZ will provide that environment to them and give them the confidence to relocate their industries in Pakistan.”
By praising Chinese investors, PM mentioned that Chinese will not only invest in Pakistan but also transfer technology by relocating their industries that will help our workforce learn and develop their capacity in modern technology.
Speaking on unemployment, the PM stressed that the industrialization process in the country will also open employment opportunities for the youth. The PM quoted “Pakistan needs to have intensive industrialization to increase its exports for wealth creation. The unemployment problem cannot be solved only by the country’s agro-based economy. We need industries to shoulder this responsibility.”
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The Allam Iqbal Industrial City is one of the nine special economic zones planned to be built under CPEC across Pakistan. The government terms these CPEC zones as lifelines of Pakistan’s industrial development that will generate over 2 million employment opportunities and help Pakistan increase its exports across several sectors.
Hadi Pirzada, a hospitality management consultant, has worked across Switzerland, Canada & Dubai. A graduate of Cesar Ritz Hotel School, Luzern, Switzerland and Brock Univ. Canada, he has worked in Global Sales & Marketing Operations with Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Marriott International, Starwood & Intercontinental Hotels and traveled extensively to tourist destinations as part of his responsibilities. Email:hadipirzada@gmail.com & Twitter: @hadipirzada