Pakistan

CPEC to turn AJK into Pakistan’s ‘economic engine’: Masood

AJK president urges academia, media to effectively counter-negate campaign against the CPEC initiative

Our Correspondent June 18, 2019

AJK President Sardar Masood Khan addresses a conference in Islamabad on Tuesday. PHOTO: NNI

MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan has stressed upon the need to chalk out a comprehensive strategy to turn the liberated territory into ‘economic engine’ of Pakistan through China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) related projects.

He expressed these views while speaking as chief guest at a conference titled “Special Economic Zone - Future Prospects and Potential”, organised by CPEC Center of Azad Jammu and Kashmir University in collaboration with Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad on Tuesday.

The conference was also addressed by AJK University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Kalim Abbasi and Director (Strategy) Special Economic Zones Hassan N Ansari among others.

Kashmiri leaders urge New Delhi to resume peace talks with Islamabad

President Masood said that one of the four mega CPEC projects have been completed in AJK while initial planning for two more projects has been worked out. Similarly, work on Mansehra-Muzaffarabad-Mangla-Mirpur highway would start from the next financial year, he added.

He urged universities, academia and media of the country to effectively counter-negate campaign against the CPEC initiative besides highlighting its socio-economic benefits.

Under the CPEC, nine special economic zones would be established across the country, including one in Mirpur, Azad Kashmir for which 1,185 acres of land has already been identified, said the president, adding that 571 acres of land would be acquired in the first phase and 614 acres in the second.

Sardar Masood Khan said that feasibility study including environmental study, topographic survey and other technical formalities for the Mirpur special economic zone have already been completed and handed over to the Chinese officials. Special incentives have been offered by the AJK government for investment in Mirpur economic zone, he added.

“These incentives include tax-free import of machinery and other equipment, construction of infrastructure, and permission to prospective investors to generate their own electricity to run the industries at local level.”

Qureshi underscores plight of Kashmiris on visit to UK

President Masood said the government has set up a board of investment (BOI) to attract investment by local and foreign investors as well as overseas Kashmiris, and work is in progress on a comprehensive policy to protect capital of the investors and to restore their confidence.

While enumerating challenges and difficulties, the AJK president said that planning is under way to ensure an uninterrupted supply of natural and electricity to the economic zone, setting up a dry port, introduction of e-filing system and establishing a railway link between Dina, Jhelum and Mirpur.

He said that the government was trying to ensure speedy development works in special economic zones, resolve environmental issues on priority basis, and to take on board the local industrialists and small business.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Abbasi shed light on efforts of CPEC center for the projection of economic corridor project. He also paid tributes to President Sardar Masood Khan for effectively highlighting the Kashmir issue at the OIC summit in Makkah.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was also signed between China-Pakistan Study Center of ISSI and the Azad Jammu and Kashmir University, under which both the institutions will cooperate with each other in the field of education and research.

COMMENTS (1)

Imran | 1 year ago | Reply Please for the prosperity of Azad Kashmir and Pakistan the following things are needed Triple M motorway to connect Azad Kashmir ensure Muzaffarabad Kotli Dadyal and Mirpur are all accessible theough a modern road infrastructure which will naturally boost trade. This is a region of lots of potential of rich foreign investment through a huge diaspora in UK Europe and USA. Linking the Triple M to the M11 at Mangla creating better interchange and integration will FINALLY link Azad Kashmir and ALL it has to offer to Upper Middle and Lower Punjab. While Pakistanis can not directly invest or buy in Azad Kashmir they are one and the same people who need more integration to boost social mobility which will automatically create prosperity. Azad Kashmir outside Muzaffarabad or Neelum referring to Kotli Mirpur has never been explored for its natural beauty and scenery by Pakistan. By default these road links will create a booming tourist industry and create opportunity for Pakistanis and Kashmiris. Furthermore Mangla MUST be given its stratefic importance and the need for an Special Economic Zone will allow for Kashmir goods to be sold to Pakistani bsuinesses and visa vi Pakistani goods will be sold into Azad Kashmir. An industrial and Economic Zone is mandatory here to build opportunity and a modern place to sell and buy goods in the Middle and Northern region of Pakistan. A dry port is essential in the interchange of Dina Mangla and Mirpur just off the M11 that will allow manufacturing equipment to be sold into Azad Kashmir as an example car parts car assembly kitchen and bathroom components garden and furniture poultry and dairy farms filtered water etc. ALONGSIDE this take advantage of the highly skilled education of Kashmiri people reliability and professionalism and is the ideal location for a MIT University and a silicon valley type IT support park or IT research and development hub. In addition to this major housing societies atr being built in close priximity to the Mirpur Mangla interchange near Dina. Mangla is an interchange linking GT M11 traffic to M3 can be a huge potential boost to the economy and regional connectivity. Mangla can be a hjge melting pot betwee people of Punjab and people of Azad Kashmir. Mangla should be seen as a major interchange between regions and in the future new housing societies in Metro City Kharian Metro City Gujar Khan and potentially Pearl City Dina will require opportunity and economic prosperity and having a CPEC road interchange between M11 GT and M3 to Mirpur at Mangla makes absolute sense. This Mangla interchange will be the ideal site for a CPEC Special Economic Zone and Dry Port. Another housing schem very ubderated needs to gain momentum and popularity is The Mangla Green Housing project on the banks of the Mangla. This has the hall marks of becoming Pakistans first Smart City and can become a new mini city and tourism zone. Mangla Green Housing is an absolute natural strategic location in close proximity to a Mangla interchange between M11 M3 GT Road next door to a Special Industrial and Economic Zone as well as a dry port has the hall marks of a great place where Pakistans modern professionals can live and breathe clean air and boost productivity. The success of phase 2 3 will bring greater opportunity at Phase 4 5 and 6 that will transform Mangla Green Housing to a Tourist haven througb investment from Dubai based signature living for commercial and Singaporean company to build a Tourist area right on the banks of The Mangla with shopping restaurants hotels flats and holiday villas. This could add further economic prosperity to the teo regions of Punjab and Azad Kashmir through jobs and opportunities. Azad Kashmir holds the largest diaspora in UK Europe and Punjab with the highest Diapora in USA but also second largest in UK. This region could be transformed as a mini Antalya or Enjoy the amenities of The Bhosprous Istanbul and bring so much revenue to the government of Pakistan. So please focus on M11 M3 and Mangla as an interchange with a SEZ and Dryport in the region of Mangla Jhelum Dina bordering Azad Kashmir.

Replying to X