RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has announced plans to establish Economic Zones along the Rawalpindi Ring Road.

It claimed that the development of these zones will not only boost trade and industrial activities but also create new employment opportunities.

A meeting regarding the Ring Road project was held at the RCCI and attended by Divisional Commissioner Aamir Khattak and RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza.

RCCI President Usman Shaukat said that extensive consultations have been held with the commissioner’s office, RDA, Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), and other stakeholders for the establishment of Economic Zones along the Ring Road.

The divisional official informed about the progress of the Ring Road project and said that land will be dedicated for economic zones.

He further emphasised that the local administration and the Business Facilitation Centre will extend full support and cooperation for the timely completion of these zones.

Work on the Ring Road is progressing rapidly, and the project is expected to be inaugurated in December 2025.

RCCI representative and former President Asad Mashhadi while giving a detailed presentation on the Ring Road Economic Zones, stated that the zones would have all state of the art facilities. These economic zones will include wholesale markets, grain markets, small factories, furniture and plastic showrooms, as well as goods transport terminals, all supported by a modern infrastructure.

The relocation of existing city markets to the proposed economic zones will help reduce traffic congestion.

He added that it is encouraging that land for the economic zones will be marked in advance, which will help curb land mafia activities and encroachments.

He said that the proposed economic zones will have excellent access infrastructure, including wide roads, public transport, labor colonies, and healthcare facilities.

Currently, small factories linked with SMEs are operating within the city; the establishment of economic zones will help people expand their businesses and industries. The Ring Road project is a game changer for Rawalpindi, and it will turn the city into a hub of commercial and industrial activity.

The meeting was attended by Senior Vice President Khalid Farooq Qazi, Vice President Fahad Barlas, former RCCI presidents, Jalil Malik, Raja Amer Iqbal, Nasir Mirza, Nadeem Rauf, Saqib Rafiq, executive committee members, and other members of the Chamber.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2025