RAWALPINDI: In a bid to facilitate businessmen and investors, Rawalpindi’s administration will establish a ‘Business Facilitation Centre’ to make the garrison city a business-friendly district in the province.

Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha said that practical steps were being taken to establish Rawalpindi as a business district. During a visit to a site adjacent to the Rawalpindi Development Authority for the purpose, he directed that within the next 15 days, the location should be finalised and the Punjab Central Business District Development Authority be taken on board.

He further said that this authority was serving as the country’s inaugural business hub to highlight the country at the World Economic Forum. A Business Facilitation Centre will soon be set up to bring services provided by various departments under one roof to facilitate business owners. He said that the centre would process the applications of investors for issuance of requisite NOCs and registrations, licences, certificates, and other permits (RLCOs).

He further added that the departmental representative would also be available at BFC for prompt action and guidance on the requests of the business community within the stipulated period to improve the business environment in the city. He further directed that approval of individual commercial and industrial constructions should be made possible in 30 days, completion certificate in 30 days, and change of land use in 45 days.

On the visit to the RDA site, RDA Additional Director General Owais Manzoor Tarar and officials were also present. While giving a briefing on behalf of the Punjab Central Business District Development (CBD) Authority, it was informed that within one year of its establishment, the authority received a substantial investment of a total of PKR 56.47 billion from two major auctions: Lahore Prime and Lahore Downtown.

The Punjab Central Business District Development Authority emphasises eco-friendly urban economic revitalisation through the construction of infrastructure on a vertical plan.

As per the jurisdiction of the CBD Punjab, the authority was making a plan to initiate economic activities in other cities of Punjab, like Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Multan. The aim of this initiative was not only to bring investment in these districts but also to play an important role in national development.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2023