PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Committee on Thursday approved the transaction structures for three major projects—Ghanool Integrated Tourism Zone, Daraban Special Economic Zone, and PDA Commercial Complex.

The approval was granted during a meeting held with KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur in the chair, said an official statement issued from the chief minister’s secretariat.

While addressing the participants, the chief minister said the provincial government was actively encouraging private sector investment to accelerate economic activity, adding that the projects approved would serve as milestones in promoting industrial, tourism, and commercial activities in the province.

He said that a conducive environment existed in the province for the promotion of private investment and directed relevant authorities to ensure progress on the PPP projects as per the specified timelines. The chief minister said that reforms be proposed in the existing PPP system to further encourage investors.

During the briefing, it was informed that the Ghanool Integrated Tourism Zone would be established under the Design, Build, Operate, and Transfer (DBOT) model of the PPP framework, adding that the initial lease period of the tourism zone would be 50 years, with the option for an extension of another 50 years.

The statement said that establishment of the tourism zone was expected to promote tourism in the region and contribute to the socio-economic development of the area, adding that it would also create new employment opportunities for youth and ensure environmental protection.

Regarding the Daraban Special Economic Zone, the committee was informed that it spanned a total area of 1,000 acres, out of which 722 acres would be designated for industrial use and 14.26 acres for commercial purposes.

The zone would be developed in three phases, with an estimated total cost of Rs18 billion, the statement said and added that establishment of the Daraban Special Economic Zone was expected to generate 40,000 direct and 120,000 indirect employment opportunities.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2025