Prime Minister Imran Khan performed groundbreaking of much-publicized Faisalabad’s Allama Iqbal Industrial City, being established under the mega China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and expected to attract Rs400 billion investments besides creating around 300,000 jobs.
During the day-long visit, the prime minister performed groundbreaking of the gigantic project before unveiling a plaque and also planted a sapling at the project site as part of his ‘10 Billion Tree Tsunami’ and as an indication that the industrialization should never be made at the cost of environment.
Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar, Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar and Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, and provincial ministers were also present on the occasion.
Imran Khan was briefed about the timeline and significance of the project that is expected to create 300,000 job opportunities for the people of Punjab during the next five years and is in line with the prime minister’s vision of creating 10 million jobs.
PRIORITIZED SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE
The project will attract approximately Rs400 billion investments in automobiles, value-added textiles, engineering, pharmaceutical, food processing, chemicals, construction materials, and packaging sectors. It will contribute to Pakistan’s GDP, increase exports and would also encourage the import substitution.
In total, nine special economic zones had been planned under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor Industrial Cooperation Framework. Out of these, three have been declared as prioritized special economic zones by Islamabad and Beijing including Allama Iqbal Industrial City, Rashakai in Pakhtunkhwa and Dhabajee in Sindh.
Under the CPEC industrial cooperation, Pakistan expects huge industrial relocation. Strategically located on the Motorway-4 at Sahianwala Interchange, the Allama Iqbal Industrial City is the first prioritized special economic zone in Pakistan. The first phase of the project would be completed by year 2021.
Keeping in view the importance of CPEC, the Punjab government has placed the project on high priority and is providing all the necessary support for its early completion. M-3 Industrial City of the Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company is the success story, which has attracted foreign direct investments from China, Turkey, Korea, Europe and Japan.
The project has the distinction of hosting maximum number of private sector Chinese companies in Pakistan and the number is increasing day by day due to its excellent infrastructure and professional management.
PM INAUGURATES SHELTER HOME
Unveiling the plaque, Prime Minister Imran Khan also inaugurated a shelter home, constructed by the Madina Group of Industries, at the General Bus Stand in Faisalabad. The prime minister took round of the shelter home and met people staying there.
He also inquired about facilities being provided to inhabitants and also had meal with the passengers in the dining hall. Imran Khan was briefed by Madina Group of Industries chairman Mian Muhammad Hanif about the project, its cost and accommodation facilities.
The prime minister was also briefed about the steps taken by the district administration, in collaboration with The University of Faisalabad (TUF), for delivering fresh vegetables to the public at the government-fixed rates through a mobile app by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali.
A memorandum of understanding was also signed between the district administration and the Madina Group of Industries on the occasion. The shelter home has been established over four kanals and three marlas of land at a cost of Rs35 million in six months.
Total capacity of the shelter home is 700 people, though currently 400 beds are available there. The shelter consists of three halls (one each for male, females and transgender), two prayer halls, two dining halls, 18 washrooms (11 for males and seven for females), a kitchen/store room for food, manager office, security offices for male and females.
