Punjab Government is currently trying to persuade the Chinese investors to invest in 13 mega projects, which are planned for Lahore. According to reliable resources the projects are worth $3.4 billion and shall be constructed in near future, if the Chinese agree to invest. Looks like the Punjab Government is trying to cash “a friend in need is a friend indeed!”
So what’s going on? According to this report of Dawn News, a high level delegation, led by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif himself, is presently visiting China to persuade some investors to look upon their neighbour the same way as they are looking at Dubai. I suppose the delegation’s aeroplane might have a vinyl saying “Dekh magr pyar se” for the Chinese investors.
So what are those 13 mega projects? All right, time for some mathematical figures. Brace yourself, numbers are coming! According to the documents Wahdat Road shall have a $2.2 billion multi-storey housing scheme; Jail road will feature a $62 million LDA tower, Johar Town shall house $380 million Finance and Trade Centre (FTC) along with a $20 million amusement park, Ferozepur Road will see a $120 redevelopment of its camp jail site along with a $56 million shopping mall at Rescue 1122 site, a $208 million multi-storey housing apartments shall be constructed on a road linking Canal Road, a Sharaqpur bypass worth $55 million which will reduce the distance from Lahore by 35 kilometres (linking defence road with Multan road), a $38 million southern bypass which will link Multan road with Ferozepur road, Defence road will feature $19 million Defence Road flyover, GT Road will receive $114 million expressway linking Shahdra with Kala Shah Kaku, a $45 million office building at the old planning and development office and a $85 million eastern bypass which will have no link to the largest human flag world record.
Phew! Those were a lot of numbers, I am sorry but I also need to add that Chinese financers are also being pumped to invest in various components of $7 billion River Ravi Development Project. If our Chief Minister managed to hack it, Lahore will be a couple more steps closer to look like Paris, which it does resembles, sometimes, in rain during those awesome evenings.
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hope it will see the day light
What is the attraction in construction projects for Chinese investors?
If the Chinease decides to invest, the return on investment (ROI) will be higher than any comparable project in the middle east mainly being ‘the first of its kind’ project here will attract investment. Look at the population of lahore and many have a lot of income. Amusement park will definately be a big hit.
In Shaa Allah
it looks very attractive but needs to be implemented. Punjab govt also need to start the projects in other regions of Punjab also. Definitely there will be good return on the investment but if you want to attract investors than we will have to make our house in order otherwise no one will come to investment in Pakistan.
Given that millions of people want to live in Greater Lahore in the coming 20 years, with a booming trade & commerce hub – it would be an absolute necessity that Pakistanis deserve the best of all classes.
People including foreign capital are investing 100 million £/$ in new businesses and in real estate schemes every year. It’s the right time to see that capital is invested in public welfare and well being.
PAKGOV in power, is easily loosing the reality check; the ground level contact. Suddenly, it is all about “big money” to few hands. The 10 biggest metro’s of PAK would see another standard, if we could accept foreign stakeholders to develop infrastructure and enforce technical solutions – as well as we learn how to “build-&-operate” solutions on our own. No one will help us, if don’t help ourselves.
I think it persist a great potential in new services & solutions with city development comprising new transport and living schemes for labor-medium classes. Pakistan need to invest in technology & infrastructure for masses. That is what Big Thinking is all about. Not to build a house to every family and drive SUV’s. Everything has a price. As long as cities are untouched – no one will realize the potential as the rate of new problems are higher than the solutions.
Dear Zameen,
currently it looks and hear to be nice but can our government be focused on developing a planned and developed police system to protect all population of pakistan.
if they only do 1 thing to make their police record online and in police department they can hire educated people who can learn and use technology to prevent and protect by education not by force than you people can see how many investors will give you hand and at that time no need to go anywhere to ask for investment they offer you by self.
just 1 thing and all solutions will get same time record all population on police record with online system as NADRA have than provide police advanced equipment so where ever they are they can trace a person.
its a peoples advice if our government can focus on it they can get their desirable investors from all over the world.
thanks and regards
Can someone slap sense into these politicians to invest in reducing corruption and making city/country safer for the people first ? Can Shareef gang think about investing in public education and enforcing rule of law so that their daddy’s soul can rest in peace ? I wish and pray Chinese never invest into Pakistan anymore unless serious issues are addressed first.
Its very unfortunate what is the priority of our government. Buildings, building and just building like mughal emperors did. No focus on education, health, security. Police has become gangster, no concrete steps to correct these issues. We have better buildings in lahore as compared to India but can we compete them in eductaion, information technology etc. Only answer is No. If you educate the people and give them peace and respect, these people can make these buildings by themselves. Only if you manage peace in country, these buildings will be constructed automatically without spending bilions from govt funds. For God sake, correct your priorities.
‘Relax, do nothing approach’ doesn’t work either. Development process starts with developing infrastructure which at different levels – physical part enabling people move from one place to another, energy, law & order, world class education, better landscaping to appeal to aesthetic part of human beings – is being developed or at least serious efforts are being put in to do it.
Credit should be acknowledged wherever due. Let’s not overlook the spectrum of our problems. It’s so huge and our expectation level so high that we end up dumping good quality public servants. Looking up to India as a role model wouldn’t get us anywhere.