TAXILA: Commissioner Rawalpindi division Liaquat Ali Chatha has said the establishment of an industrial zone would not only promote trade, employment and economic growth in the province but would also boost socioeconomic condition in the far-flung remote areas of Attock.

He expressed these views while reviewing the proposed site of an industrial zone at Galial in Jand of Attock.

Minister of State and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Malik Sohail Khan, Deputy Commissioner Attock Rao Atif Raza and other officials were also present.

Mr Chattha said the industrial zone would be established under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

“New employment opportunities will be generated through industrial and trade promotion in underprivileged areas, especially in Jand and Pindigheb.” He said according to the World Bank’s 2008 annual report, “by some estimates, there are approximately 3,000 zones in 135 countries today, accounting for over 68 million direct jobs and over $500 billion of direct trade-related value added within zones.” He added: “The establishment of new industrial zones will help build economic activities in the region and create new employment opportunities in the district.”

Minister Malik Sohail Khan said that the government was taking all-out measures to boost the industrial sector of the province to provide jobs to the youth. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif the provincial government was taking measures for development and the results would appear in the near future. He said that the project would be a source of employment not only for people of Attock but also for the citizens of areas adjoining districts and would be helpful for industrialisation as well.

Later, they also visited the site of a 200-bed hospital in Pindigheb. On this occasion, the concerned officers gave him a briefing about the proposed site.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2023