SWABI: Entrepreneurs of Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate (GAIE) on Tuesday demanded linking the estate to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The demand was made when CM’s adviser Abdul Karim and PTI leaders visited Gadoon estate and met with the industrialists, led by president of Gadoon Industrial Association (GIA) Mohammad Zahid Shah.

Mr Karim, who also had a ghee mill at the industrial estate, said he was well aware of the problems the industrialists were facing. He said he had already taken up the matter with the chief minister who had assured of considering the proposal to link the GAIE with CPEC.

The proposed industrial estates at Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed interchange on Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway and another at Rashakai interchange would be linked with CPEC, he said and added the government was also striving to bring international donors to Gadoon and Hattar industrial estates.

Earlier, GIA president Zahid Shah briefed the participants about their problems, saying despite the location disadvantage and apathy of successive governments, industrialists in Gadoon estate had continued with their ventures.

The other industrialists said they had heavily invested in Gadoon estate, and wanted to continue their businesses, but the government should support them as the industry was generating hundreds of jobs.

ROLE OF MEDIA HIGHLIGHTED: Speakers at a media festival on Tuesday said the people, especially youth, should be educated about the critical role of the media in building public opinion to effectively confront the challenges the country was facing.

The three-day festival was organised at Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology by GIK Institute’s Media Club.

The speakers said the electronic media would take time to mature and avoid sensationalism. However, they said it was also true that the electronic and social media had changed the entire landscape of the media.

The social media has become very familiar to the masses, becoming an easy source of information for them, they said, adding its increasing influence should not be underestimated by political parties.

They, however, demanded that the parents and teachers monitor use of social media by children.

WALK HELD: Teachers and students of the University of Swabi on Tuesday held a walk against the terrorist attacks in the country.

The walk was organised by University of Swabi Teachers Association for Development. The participants demanded effective action against terrorists and urged the people to extend support to the law enforcement agencies in eliminating the menace.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2017