LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif says Quaid-e-Azam Apparel Park, which will be the most modern project of its kind in South Asia, is being set up near motorway and will provide all necessary facilities to textile and garments sector under one-roof.
He said this while presiding over a meeting called to review the progress on the project on Sunday. He said that the project would generate thousands of job opportunities and increase exports, leading to strengthening of national economy. He said best facilities would be made available to investors and industrialists in this park.
According to an official handout, the meeting gave formal approval to handing over the management and development work of Apparel Park project to Punjab Industrial Estate Development and Management Company.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that Pakistan is an agrarian country and the goal of progress and prosperity could be achieved through development of agro-based industry. He said exports of the country are increasing after the awarding of GSP Plus status to Pakistan.
“There is a need to accelerate the process of industrialisation to fully benefit from GSP Plus status given to the country and keeping in view this fact, the Quaid-e-Azam Apparel Park has been evolved. This project is of vital importance and will give an impetus to the process of industrialization,” he held.
Shahbaz Sharif directed that work on the project should be completed without wasting any time. He said that Punjab government had promoted the culture of transparency and all development projects had been completed in a transparent manner. He said that Quaid-e-Azam Apparel Park would be an example of speedy execution and transparency.
He said that a labour colony equipped with modern residential facilities would also be constructed in the park for the convenience of the labourers. He warned that that no delay would be tolerated in the execution of the project.
Chairman Planning and Development gave a detailed briefing regarding Quaid-e-Azam Apparel Park and said that 200 acres land had been allocated for labour colony in the park while construction work of link road has been started.
Provincial Ministers Ch Shafiq, Tanvir Aslam Malik, Member Provincial Assembly Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Additional Chief Secretary Energy, secretaries of C&W, Law, Industries, Labour, Chairman PIDMC and other concerned authorities attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, Shahbaz Sharif expressed deep sense of sorrow and grief over the loss of precious human lives in a traffic accident on super highway link road near Karachi on Sunday.
The chief minister expressed sympathies with the bereaved families and also prayed for the early recovery of the injured persons.