PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has ordered urgent measures to address security concerns, financial constraints and stalled projects affecting economic zones across the province.
The directives were issued during a high-level meeting of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KPEZDMC), chaired by the governor, to review challenges facing the province’s industrial sector.
Adviser to the Industries Department Muhammad Irshad, the industries secretary and other senior officials attended the meeting.
During the briefing, officials informed the meeting that 15 economic zones were currently operational in the province, while plans were underway to establish seven additional zones. These initiatives have generated approximately 107,000 employment opportunities so far, according to the briefing.
The meeting also reviewed administrative and financial difficulties affecting the proposed Yakka Ghund Marble City, Katlang and other economic zones. Officials highlighted obstacles related to land acquisition, pending payments and other financial matters.
Governor Kundi directed the relevant authorities to hold an urgent joint meeting with the Finance Department to resolve complications surrounding land purchases and suspended payments. He also called for practical proposals to address the outstanding issues.
Emphasising the province’s industrial potential, the governor said sustainable industrial growth required a comprehensive and practical strategy to attract private investment. He stressed the need to simplify administrative procedures and remove bureaucratic hurdles under the Ease of Doing Business policy to provide investors with a more favourable business environment.
Kundi also expressed concern over economic zones that had been suspended or adversely affected by the prevailing law and order situation.
He directed the authorities to prioritise security arrangements in sensitive areas and locations affected by unrest so that industrial activity could resume and economic development would not be disrupted.
The governor further called for immediate joint meetings with federal and provincial departments, directing officials to raise legal, financial and security issues requiring federal intervention at the relevant level in Islamabad and ensure their resolution without delay.
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