Shahbaz offers free-of-cost land to Chinese investors

E-Paper | June 05, 2026

LAHORE: The chief minister has offered free-of-cost land to big Chinese investors if they invest in Punjab.

Shahbaz Sharif made the offer while addressing Punjab-Qingdao Business Seminar on Thursday during his ongoing visit to China, says a communique.

He also assured the Chinese industrialists of provision of the best facilities for the programme of shifting industries along with technology to Pakistan.

A large number of Chinese industrialists, investors, businessmen and senior officials of government attended the seminar.

Planning and Development Chairman Jehanzeb Khan and industries Secretary Khalid Sherdil gave briefings to the participants of the seminar on the facilities being provided by provincial government to investors and industrialists.

The chief minister also met Communist Party of China, Qingdao, Secretary Li Qun. During the meeting, agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed between Punjab and Qingdao.

A joint working group will also be set up to explore possibilities of promotion of cooperation between Punjab and Qingdao in different sectors. MoU were also signed between Punjab Investment Board, industries department and Qingdao.

Investors from both Punjab and Qingdao also signed agreements and MoU under which cooperation would be enhanced for setting up of economic zones, besides in textile sector, transport, industrial estates, infrastructure, e-commerce, technical and vocational training and other sectors.

As many as 20 agreements and 25 MoU were signed during the visit of Punjab chief minister to China.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2016

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Ahmad

Jul 29, 2016 09:08am

What else give everything free then how are you going to make money. It is good to have business with others but first think about country instead of own pockets.

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Philanthropic

Jul 29, 2016 09:16am

Thumbs up .Proud of Pak -China friendship

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Alba

Jul 29, 2016 09:22am

When Western corporations went to do business in China in the 80's they were told they could lease land but not buy it.

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msadiq

Jul 29, 2016 09:22am

Jobs will be created

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Sarwat

Jul 29, 2016 09:44am

Foolish move. BTW whose property is he offering? If government's, it's not his to give away. He is most welcome to award his own properties.

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concerned

Jul 29, 2016 09:52am

Does Shahbaz Sharif , single handedly,have such powers to give away land free of cost?

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Ahmed bin Babar

Jul 29, 2016 10:20am

Such generous offers must have prior approval of the parliament as these lands are not the property of any person or politician but the assents of the pakistani state and its people alone...

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Muhammad Zafar iqbal

Jul 29, 2016 10:27am

Great efforts by CM Punjab to transform Punjab province in to a industrial hub which in turn definitely benefit masses , on the other hand sloganeering of CHANGE are sleeping and only taking part in useless DHARNAS and street agitations.

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Ifti

Jul 29, 2016 10:36am

I am not a supporter of PLMN but this Man is a Doer.He knows how to get things done in quick time.Appreciate that

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Ahmed

Jul 29, 2016 11:04am

Make same offer to overseas Pakistani as well....why not...

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phool ch.

Jul 29, 2016 11:12am

Who has given this man the right to offer public land for free?? ... answer this before you start piling worthless praises. please.

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Zak

Jul 29, 2016 11:22am

Land should be leased on long term basis to attract more investors

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Mustafa

Jul 29, 2016 12:06pm

With this Chinese investors should be bounded to do collaboration with local companies. Also, similar facility should be provided to local SME investors which will boost up economy further.

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RAVEENDRA NATH

Jul 29, 2016 12:24pm

Pakistan should shun violence and concentrate on development for the sake of the nation and its citizens. While Chinese intention mainly is business, the real intention is to keep it away from the US and to compete with India. It is in the interest of India to have an economically developed Pakistan, with its citizens receiving modern education, economic empowerment, etc. The real enemy of Pakistan is its fundamentalist attitude and religious fanaticism, due to lack of modern education.

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Ahmed bin Babar

Jul 29, 2016 02:23pm

@Ahmed bin Babar Correction, assets not assents, thanks.

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Nasir

Jul 29, 2016 02:41pm

Until we purge out military and civil society of extremist we will not get investment - we need to look at what turkey has done and do something similar

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Zak

Jul 29, 2016 03:09pm

A discounted rate with a lease would be preferred. Remember China sits on $3 trillion cash pile. Still Chinese industries will give us short cut to expertise and enhance our economy. And the corporate taxes will swell our coffers. Good move.

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Arshad ,Canada

Jul 29, 2016 04:08pm

@Sarwat , it is very common practice and norm in North America to offer not just a land but many other incentives such as low or no taxes for a long period to large and mid size companies. These incentives bring in jobs ,sales and other related taxes, open doors for many other related and totally non related businesses. Oh one person's job could effect a d benefit 8 to 10 people. All others, Provinces should try this. After saying all this, all the incentives should be given for the least developed areas. Otherwise, they would all want land in Lahore or. near it.

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Adil Akhar

Jul 29, 2016 04:47pm

How he can convince foreign investors, when his own nephews and the children of the serving Prime Minister are preferring to invest in London’s real estate property business!

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Iftikhar Husain

Jul 29, 2016 05:20pm

I hope the free land does not mean they will own the land.

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Full Pakistani

Jul 29, 2016 06:10pm

@Ifti I agree.

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NoManKhan - NJ USA

Jul 29, 2016 07:21pm

Never been to Punjab or Lahore, but by the news, it seems This CM Punjab is all over, every where, even with long knee rubber boots in semi flooded area, can any journalist compare or dig out any other CM, PM, President as far back except Ayub Khan, his style of governing works, he delivers- come election time, people want to see results: jobs, electricity, gas, transportation, law and order, not how he governed: I agree with CM approach- no business wants to invest unless with many free benefits: remember Pakistan is not the only or best location to invest: only incentives bring the investment:

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Arshad , Canada

Jul 30, 2016 06:30am

@RAVEENDRA NATH , Thanks for the wise words but we do understand what is good or bad for Pakistan. There are a few wise and intelligent persons in this land.

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