In a recent meeting held at the Chief Minister’s House, Sindh Federation. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Federal Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer discussed the revival of Pakistan Steel Mills and the establishment of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) on additional land.
Special Economic Zone Proposal
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah revealed that the cabinet thoroughly reviewed the proposal for the SEZ on May 30, 2024. The cabinet recommended the establishment of an SEZ on Pakistan Steel Mills‘ additional land to the federal government. Shah emphasized that the cabinet believes in preserving the 700 acres allocated for the Steel Mills plant to either revive the existing plant or establish a new one. He proposed mutually addressing any additional land requirements.
Federal Government’s Offer and SEZ Infrastructure
The federal minister, Rana Tanveer, suggested that the federal government is ready to allow them to either resuscitate the old Steel Mills plant or build a new one on 700 acres. He proposed that the other 4,840 acres could be used for an SEZ. Tanveer assured that the federal government would develop the SEZ using. Its resources and potentially hand it over to Chinese investors.
Chief Minister Shah highlighted the SEZ’s proximity to the sea, ensuring its infrastructure has essential water and gas facilities, making it one of the country’s best zones. Both the provincial and federal governments agreed to expedite the paperwork to ensure the immediate establishment of the SEZ. The SEZ is expected to create job opportunities and contribute positively to the national economy.
Efforts for Steel Mills Revival and Agricultural Development
Murad Ali Shah pledged to cooperate with the federal government in the revival of Pakistan Steel Mills under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode. Considering it a national asset for employment generation and economic prosperity. In addition, he spoke about his administration’s attempts at improving. The agricultural economy by introducing fresh cultivation practices, resuscitating industries, and imparting technical skills among youngsters. Shah emphasized increasing the technical and non-technical workforce to integrate them into the industrial sector.
This collaborative approach between the provincial and federal governments aims to address Pakistan Steel Mills’s challenges. Establishing a special economic zone would leverage the additional land for economic development.
