PM Imran stresses importance of industrialisation at groundbreaking of special economic zone in Faisalabad

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday performed the groundbreaking of Allama Iqbal Industrial Zone in Faisalabad which is part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). 

"This special economic zone is a massive step towards my vision," the prime minister said during his speech at the event before explaining what his vision was.

He said that one of his priorities is to eradicate poverty from Pakistan, which he said can only be done if the country is industrialised. 

"We will not be able to provide employment opportunities to our youth if we do not industrialise," he said. "This is also because you cannot create enough opportunities through just land or agriculture."

The prime minister said that Pakistan was on its way towards industrialisation in the 1960s but regretted that "the unfortunate policies of the 1970s derailed the country."

He stressed that the deeds of a few investors does not mean that the entire process of investment should be maligned. "This anti-investment campaign changed our mindset."

The prime minister, without naming names, blamed MQM-P's exiled founder Altaf Hussain for fuelling the anti-investment mindset by starting his speeches with remarks targeting "the investors and landowners".

"The roadmap now is to industrialise the country and also focus on exports," he added.

Prime Minister Khan also talked about China's burgeoning economic clout in the world, saying that Pakistan stands to benefit immensely from its neighbouring power if it goes towards industrialisation.

"Vietnam has created immense wealth just by attracting Chinese industries," he said, adding that "we need to do the same."

He heaped praise on Punjab Minister for Industries and Trade, Mian Aslam, Iqbal and Chief Minister Usman Buzdar's efforts — the former for his ministry's performance and the latter for "always being available for the people and living a simple lifestyle".

The prime minister addressed Chief Secretary Azam Suleman Khan, reminding him that the recent changes to the NAB Ordinance were undertaken solely to rid the bureaucracy of the threat that it could be held responsible for procedural issues.

"They were afraid to sign on files but that will not be an excuse anymore so we hope that work will progress at a rapid pace," he said.

According to PM's Focal Person on Digital Media, Dr Arsalan Khalid, it was the "first groundbreaking of an industrial estate under CPEC".

Khalid stated that the industrial city "will create 300,000 jobs in the next five years".

"It will attract Rs400 billion worth of investments in automobiles, textiles, food processing, pharmaceuticals, engineering and construction industries," he said.

Shelter home inaugurated 

Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated a shelter home in Faisalabad during his one-day visit to the city.

Also read: PM Imran pays surprise visit to Rawalpindi hospital, shelter home

“The inauguration is part of PM’s on going drive of providing shelter to homeless. In addition to regular shelter homes, temporary shelters have been erected to protect poor from freezing winter,” said the Prime Minister Office in a statement on social media.

The inauguration comes after PM Imran on Sunday directed the chief ministers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab to provide temporary shelters to the homeless who cannot be accommodated in the existing Panagahs amid cold weather.

PM Imran had inaugurated the first shelter for the homeless in Lahore last year. The government has set up similar Panagahs to provide food and a roof for the poor.