Work on nine economic zones launched, cabinet told

PESHAWAR: Work on nine out of the 19 proposed economic zones has been launched whereas start of work on five others is in progress.

An investment to the tune of Rs340 billion is expected in these economic zones. Similarly, 1,672 industrial units have been established and 167 dysfunctional ones have been restored. Moreover, 363 industrial plots have also been allotted in the special economic zones.

These industrial activities are expected to generate 180,000 direct employment opportunities in the province.

This was stared at a meeting of the provincial cabinet with chief Minister Mahmood Khan in the chair here on Tuesday. The chair directed the concerned authorities for result-oriented steps to ensure timely completion of the ongoing development projects.

The cabinet accorded approval to extend the tenure of the existing CEO KP-EZDMC Javed Iqbal for a period of three years.

The cabinet also approved the issuance of arm licences of prohibited bore to lawyers. The chief minister directed the concerned authorities to formulate a mechanism to extend the prohibited bore arm licence facility to the general public as well.

The forum decided to impose a ban on the burning of tyres for industrial activities for a period of one year with the aim to curtail environmental pollution.

The cabinet also approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mineral Auction Rules 2022. Similarly, the cabinet nodded to the holding of digital literacy training for provincial cabinet members to promote e governance and paper less culture in government offices.

The cabinet also approved to extend the tenure of 80 Muawin Qazis of Malakand division in the light of para-6 of Sharia Nizam Adal Regulations.

Moreover, the forum also approved the establishment of a special unit for the investigation of sexual crimes in all the districts under anti-rape (investigation and trial) Act-2021.