Peshawar: Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Mahmood Khan on Wednesday was informed of the government’s plan to contract a Chinese company in the coming month for the development of the Rashakai Special Economic Zone (SEZ) — according to news sources.
This information was revealed during a meeting between the CM and the public-private partnership committee. The meeting’s main agenda was the approval of the revised concession agreement for the Rashakai SEZ.
The CM assured the meeting that the government was promoting a conducive environment in the province and was taking multiple initiatives in this regard. He also said that the government was utilizing the province’s strategic location, natural resources and investment-friendly environment to boost revenue.
The CM stated that under the China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor (CPEC) framework, the Rashakai SEZ was a priority for both KP and China. He expressed his hope that the project would help promote investment and industrialization in the province.
The Rashakai SEZ is expected to cover 1,000 acres of land and the electricity for the zone will be supplied by the federal government in three phases. The PC-I of the 210 MW electrical power supply (costing PRK 1.83 billion) has already been approved, along with the PC-I for the provision of gas (at a cost of PKR 1.2 billion).
In the initial phase of the project, the development of the access roads from Wali Interchange (Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway) to the Zero Point of the economic zone has been initiated.
The SEZ will be developed in three phases; 247 acres of land will be developed in Phase-I, 355 acres of land will be developed in Phase-II, and 399 acres of land will be developed in Phase-III. 80% of the workforce engaged for the construction period is expected to comprise of Pakistani nationals, in order to promote job opportunities for the local population.
Hazafa reveres the art of writing and has been turned into a property enthusiast by profession. Her daily survival kit includes; tea, coffee, keyboard and paperbacks.
