PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is working under a comprehensive and well-devised strategy to develop the industrial sector on modern lines in the province.

He said that multi-dimensional development activities were in full swing across the province to stabilise the provincial economy as well as to provide employment opportunities to the youth, according to statement issued here on Monday.

Mr Khan said that economic growth of the country was possible through increasing exports and industrialisation that needed sincere leadership. He said that provincial government was working on establishing a number of new economic zones in addition to reviving sick industries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said that introduction of industrial policy, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa commerce and trade strategy and investment promotion strategy were the important initiatives of his government to promote industrial sector as per contemporary needs.

It is pertinent to mention here that 71 schemes have been reflected in the current Annual Development Programme to ensure development of industrial sector on sustainable basis.

During the last four years, a number of new economic zones have been established in Jalozai, Nowshehra, Dera Ismail Khan, Rashakia, Chitral, Hattar, Bannu, Ghazi and Mohmand.

Additionally, Daraband Special Economic Zone, Salt and Gypsum City Karak, Buner Economic Zone, Katlang Economic Zone and Mansehra Economic Zone would also be launched soon.

An investment of around Rs338 billion has been made in the existing and new economic zones wherein 167 sick industrial units have been revived and 366 new industrial units have been established in the province.

During the year 2021, interest-free loans amounting to Rs1 billion were provided under Insaaf Rozgar Scheme whereas a finance scheme worth Rs12 billion has also been launched to promote small and medium entrepreneurs in the province.

In order to promote international investment in the province, 44 memorandums of understandings worth $8 billion were signed in Dubai Expo 2020.

The chief minister said that free and fair elections were the only option to rid the country of the incumbent rulers and save the national economy.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2022