Economic growth: Shahbaz stresses need to promote industrial sector

Quaid-i-Azam Park, M3 Industrial City, Value Addition City get status of special economic zones

LAHORE:

The promotion of industrial activities and investment will increase job opportunities in the province, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Sunday.

He was presiding over a meeting of the Special Economic Zone Authority. During the meeting, they decided to grant Quaid-i-Azam Apparel Park, the M3 Industrial City and the Value Addition City the status of special economic zones.

“Industrial activities and investment will increase once special economic zones are set up. All facilities are being provided to industrialists and investors on a priority-basis in the province,” he said.

He said that the government had taken effective steps for the promotion of investment and to enhance industrial activities. “The Punjab Investment Board has to work more actively to promote industrial activities and investment,” he said.

The Punjab Investment Board chief executive officer (CEO) briefed the meeting about the activities of the Special Economic Zone Authority. Minister for Industries Muhammad Shafiq, the Punjab Investment Board chairman were also present.

Dolphin Force

The chief minister also met members of the Dolphin Force, Shadman Sector Waqar Afzal, Waqas Safdar, Ashgar Ali, Sajid Majeed and Abdul Rehman, who had arrested some suspected robbers. The chief minister appreciated their performance and gave them commendatory certificates and cash prizes.

Addressing them, the chief minister said that people expected good performance from the new force. “The Dolphin Force members will have to perform duties with dedication to come up to the expectations of the people,” he said.

The chief minister said the force would help provide a sense of protection to the people.

“If they move forward with dedication, they will definitely succeed in controlling street crimes,” he said.

The chief minister said that the Dolphin Force was equipped with modern weapons. “It is the new face of the Punjab Police. The force is not for the protection of VIPs, but for safeguarding the life and property of the common man,” he said.

Inspector General of Police Mushtaq Sukhera said that members of the Dolphin Force had been provided modern training in accordance with the vision of the chief minister. “This force is working hard for eliminating street crime,” he said. CCPO Lahore Capt (r) Amin Wains, Operations DIG Dr Haider Ashraf and Dolphin Force SP Syed Karar were also present.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4^th,  2016.