The recent official visit of the Chinese Ambassador to the northwestern area of Pakistan is of great significance. Ambassador Jiang Zaidong held deep conversations with Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) about the scope of business opportunities in the province and toured KP’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ). During their talks, both leaders focused on ways to enhance business cooperation between the two sides, and they came to the conclusion that KP and China could work together in many critical fields including agriculture, energy and mining. Worth mentioning that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has shifted the landscape of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) through several flagship initiatives such as Peshawar-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway and Hazara Motorway (M-15), which enhance road and economic development integration. Urban infrastructure is advanced while agriculture is supported by the Chashma Right Bank Canal (Lift Irrigation) project. Renewable energy projects provide sustainable energy, and the Dera Ismail Khan to Zhob Road further promotes trade. There are additional projects in railways that will help further develop trade and movement of passengers. The sister-city relations with Urumqi and Kashgar reinforce cultural and economic interaction, making KP strategically important to the CPEC integration.
Chief Minister Gandapur made an appealing presentation to the Chinese delegation by recommending that industrial units be established in KP’s solar energy systems and minerals mining industries. “We have many opportunities available here and it would be fantastic if you could invest in our province,” he declared. He also called on the ambassador to consider setting up other factories particularly taking advantage of the investment opportunities that are abundant in the area of mining and energy. It is also important to note that KP is one of the most culturally rich and historically significant regions of the country.
The ambassador underscored that there are incentives to aid friendly environment companies, including cheap electricity, to encourage overall prosperity. “We are focusing on clean and green energy,” Gandapur said. “We want to help the environment and at the same time provide businesses with affordable electricity. Besides talking about big industrial projects, Gandapur also shared some of the KP government’s efforts to bring solar power to homes. He said that 130,000 families in the province are getting free solar systems. In some instances, these families are receiving these solar systems at subsidized costs or through simpler payment procedures. This is part of the effort to ensure that citizens save on their electricity expenses while taking advantage of clean energy sources.
The Chief Minister also talked about the government’s plans on solar projects. He said that, there will soon be more homes and businesses that are able to utilize solar energy and this will help not only the economy but also the environment by reducing the cost of electricity for all.
KP has mineral resources including gold, copper and marble. Gandapur told the Ambassador that the KP government is putting these resources to good use. He explained that the government made a decision to incorporate a new mining company. The objective is to ensure that the people of KP enjoy these resources.
Gandapur ignored the worries and said, “We are trying our best to optimally utilize the available resources within the region.” “Our aim is to make sure that the citizens enjoy the optimum value from these resources,” he further noted. This holds great significance for KP concerning its status, proper mining has the potential to yield immeasurable wealth for the province, and with such approaches, and these regions can greatly improve the living standards of a large segment of the top snowbound regions in KP.
Another thing that Gandapur said during his talk with the Chinese Ambassador focused on the people’s health and wellbeing in KP. The chief minister was elated to tell the Ambassador about the Sehat Card Programme that grants medical treatment to all families in the province regardless of financial class. Every resident of KP has the Sehat Card that offers free medical services. “We are looking after the health of our people,” Gandapur said. “In case, someone is unwell, they should not have to pay out-of-pocket towards treatment.”
The KP government is concurrently working on launching a life cover plan for its citizen in addition to the above-mentioned healthcare scheme. This will safeguard individuals by offering insurance cover in the instances of accidents and other emergencies. Gandapur also shared some exciting news for the youth of KP. The government has started offering loans without interest to the youth who are looking to establish their businesses. This effort will provide Rs 15 billion in loans to youth allowing them to create self-employment opportunities and carve out a prosperous future.
To promote tourism, the KP government is also providing loans to people willing to set up home-based businesses like guest houses for tourists. They will receive Rs 4 billion in loans without interest to support their business endeavors. “Through these steps, we will enable youth to become business owners,” said Gandapur. “We want them to be successful and employ other people.”
Ambassador Jiang Zaidong paid close attention to the plans that Gandapur presented during the meeting. He commended the KP administration for its actions to lift the welfare of the people and expand the economy of the region. He further noted that China is ready to cooperate with KP in many other areas including investments, energy, and even mining. “We are ready to work together,” said Ambassador Jiang. “It is in China’s delight to support KP’s growth and deepen friendship.” He also said that he would like to see the thawing of relation between China and Pakistan in the future and how it may truly strengthen both nations.
This meeting marks the beginning of the relation between China and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. All the stakeholders are enthused for further economic growth and development. The KP government is eager to turn the province into a business hub with ample opportunities and resources for investment.
Together with him, The Chief Minister of KP and the head of the Chinese Embassy are confident that they will be able to change Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the better. New industries will be established in the province along with providing cheaper energy and better services to the people.
The relationship between KP and China, while in its infancy, holds strong promise and optimism amongst both leaders. This partnership has the potential to significantly benefit both nations. The cooperation to improve industrial development, as well as diversify energy, mining, and agriculture, will definitely lead to new opportunities and prospects of economic development. However, most important in delivering optimal results in this partnership is the focus on peace and security foremost. The development of industries, job opportunities, and improved livelihoods in KP require stability and peace. In the absence of peace, no splendorous investment, projects, or initiatives can bring about any sustained success. The government of the province has to place the restoration of peace and order at the top of the agenda of its priorities. Only in a safe and secure environment can local businesses, as well as international investors flourish. KP, in its turn, has indicated its unconditional willingness to assist, but the provincial government has to take measures to guarantee safety and stability for all stakeholders. A peaceful environment will lead to more investments, sustainable development, and confidence from local and foreign partners.
