Special Correspondent
PESHAWAR : The KP government has decided to shift all the marble factories from Warsak Road Peshawar and Shabqadar to the newly established Mohmand Economic Zone.
It has further been decided that in addition to grant in aid, plots would be given on concessional rates to the marble factory owners who voluntarily shift their factories to the Mohmand Economic Zone.
The decision has been made to overcome the issue of environmental pollution in the provincial capital and to facilitate these scattered marble factories by providing them a conducive environment to operate in an organized manner.
Similarly, the government has also decided to started physical work on the proposed Buner Marble City project with the aim to promote marble industry and to provide job opportunities to the people.
This was decided in a meeting held here on Wednesday with Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan in the chair to review the progress on Mohmand Economic Zone and Buner Marble City. Special Assistants to CM Arif Ahmad Zai, Riaz Khan, Secretary Mineral department, Chief Executive Officer Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zone Development & Management Company Javed Khattak and other concerned high ups attended the meeting.
The Chief Minister has directed the quarter concerned to devise way forward in consultation with the marble factory owners for shifting the marble factories from Warsak Road to Mohmand Economic Zone adding that a complete action plan to this effect be submitted within the two week time period. Briefing about the Mohmand Economic Zone, the meeting was informed that 106 plots have been allotted so far in the 350 Acre Mohmand Economic Zone Project whereas marble factories from Warsak Road and Shabqadar would be shifted and accommodate in the left over 184 plots Mohmand Economic Zone.
Further, it was informed that applications from 19 factory owners of Warsak Road have been received for the shifting of their factories to Mohmand Economic Zone. It was also decided to Convert Mohmand Economic Zone into Special Economic Zone.
Briefing about the proposed project of Buner Marble City, the meeting was informed that 200 industrial units and investment of Rs. 2.8 billion were expected under the 126 acres Buner Marble City Project. More than 12,000 employment opportunities were also expected through this project, the meeting was informed.
While agreeing to the proposed site for Buner Marble City, the Chief Minister has directed the quarter concerned that PC-1 for acquisition of the proposed land should be approved from relevant forum within the one week time period.