PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government is celebrating a significant achievement as it completes the infrastructure development work for the first phase of the Rashakai Special Economic Zone, a flagship project under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework.
Led by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KP-EZDMC), a public sector company of the KP government, the first phase of the Rashakai SEZ in District Nowshera has been successfully completed. To commemorate this milestone, a grand ceremony was held at the SEZ with KP Caretaker Chief Minister Muhammad Azam Khan as the chief guest. The event was attended by provincial ministers, Chief Secretary KP, Secretary Industries Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, officials of KPEZDMC, federal and provincial Boards of Investment, and a large number of local investors.
Situated adjacent to the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M1), the Rashakai SEZ enjoys direct links with Afghanistan and Central Asian States via Peshawar. Additionally, it is conveniently located around 80KM from the New Islamabad International Airport and 60KM from Bacha Khan International Airport, Peshawar. The ML1 (Peshawar-Karachi) Railway project further enhances its connectivity with major cities like Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi.
Covering an area of approximately 1000 acres, the SEZ is developed in three phases, with Phase I occupying 247 acres. It offers dedicated internal roads, drainage facilities (including an effluent treatment plant), 11KV power supply, gas, and communication services for enterprises within the zone. Moreover, it provides essential infrastructure such as a customized workshop, complex building, apartments, and other supporting civil works.
In an impressive feat of collaboration and efficiency, the first phase of the Rashakai SEZ, which was originally scheduled to be completed in December 2023, was finished six months ahead of the specified time period. The outstanding teamwork and coordination between the KPEZDMC and China Road and Bridge Company (CRBC) made this early completion possible. This marks the first completed project initiated under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Pakistan, placing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at an advantage over other provinces in the country.
The SEZ has already attracted significant investments, with Rs. 85 billion poured into the project so far. Additionally, numerous Chinese domestic industrial groups have expressed interest in investing in the zone. Some investors are planning to establish units for manufacturing APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients), which are vital raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, a potential investor is considering setting up a vaccine manufacturing unit in the zone, and Pakistan Oxygen, the largest oxygen manufacturing unit, has already made an investment in the zone.
Caretaker Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Azam Khan, expressed his appreciation for the exceptional efforts and unwavering commitment of China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development & Management Company (KPEZDMC) in successfully completing Phase-I of the project ahead of schedule.
The completion of the infrastructure work in Rashakai SEZ is a momentous achievement for the region and is expected to open new avenues for economic growth and industrial development, bolstered by strong ties between Pakistan and China under the CPEC framework.
