- Says project expected to attract an estimated $5 billion in investment
- Claims Asif Zardari laid foundation of CPEC by giving Gwadar Port to China
KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Saturday inaugurated the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone project, which is expected to bring an estimated $5 billion investment to the country.
Speaking at the ceremony, he said that the Sindh government has launched a number of mega projects in various sectors, including health, power generation, and infrastructure development while others have done nothing except providing lip service making tall claims.
“I congratulate Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and his team who materialised the dream of President Asif Ali Zardari who had negotiated three important projects, Dhabeji SEZ, Keti Bunder, and Karachi Circular Railway with Chinese authorities,” he added.
ہم نے پبلک پرائیوٹ پارٹنرشپ کے تحت ٹھٹہ کراچی ڈیول کیرج وے، جھرک ملا کاتیار پل اور تھر میں سندھ اینگرو کول مائننگ کمپنی کے بڑے منصوبے وقت سے پہلے مکمل کرکے دیکھائے جس سے مقامی افراد کو روزگار کے مواقع فراہم ہوئے۔
چیئرمین پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی بلاول بھٹو زرداری @BBhuttoZardari pic.twitter.com/120rQCLuQS— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) July 15, 2023
He said that it was Asif Zardari who laid the foundation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) by giving Gwadar Port to China.
“جب صدر زرداری نے سی پیک کی بنیاد رکھی تو ہم تنقید کے نشانے پر تھے کہ اتنے دورے کرنے کی کیا ضرورت تھی، مگر ان دوروں کے نتیجے میں پاکستان کو “چین پاکستان اقتصادی راہداری” کا تحفہ ملا اور ملک میں معاشی استحکام آیا۔”
چیئرمین پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی اور وزیر خارجہ بلاول بھٹو زرداری… pic.twitter.com/8QNdyMYONV
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) July 15, 2023
“He made frequent visits to China during his tenure as the president and negotiated the development of Pakistan, particularly the upliftment of industrial and road infrastructure, power generation, trade, and commerce. But he was criticised and targeted,” he said.
Bilawal added that today the fruits of his frequent visits are being harvested in the shape of CPEC projects under which the Thar coal project has started power generation, Dhabeji Special Economic Zone is being developed, and various road infrastructure projects have been completed in the country.
ٹھٹہ: پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کے چیئرمین اور وزیر خارجہ بلاول بھٹو زرداری دھابیجی اسپیشل اکنامک زون کے سنگ بنیاد کی تقریب میں شریک، چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری کے ہمراہ وزیراعلی سندھ سید مراد علی شاہ، ناصر شاہ، شرجیل میمن، علی حسن زرداری، گیانچند ایسرانی، قاسم نوید قمر، مرتضی وہاب، ساجد… pic.twitter.com/ZIFNaK1ZIZ
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) July 15, 2023
The PPP chairman said that the development of the Gwadar Port and improvements being made at Karachi Port were part of Zardari’s vision which was bound to bring prosperity generating employment opportunities.
Bilawal said that the concept of public-private partnership (PPP) was envisioned by former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in her 1993 election manifesto.
ٹھٹہ: پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کے چیئرمین اور وزیر خارجہ بلاول بھٹو زرداری وزیراعلی سندھ سید مراد علی شاہ اور ان کے معاون خصوصی برائے سرمایہ کاری اور پبلک پرائیوٹ پارٹنرشپ یونٹ قاسم نوید قمر کے ہمراہ دھابیجی اسپیشل اکنامک زون کے منصوبے کے سنگ بنیاد رکھ رہے ہیں۔@BBhuttoZardari… pic.twitter.com/qvKx4OUOC1
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) July 15, 2023
He added that under the PPP plan, the government and private sector would work together to launch mega projects and development activities in partnership.
“When the government works with the private sector as a development partner, its benefits trickle down to the people in the shape of employment opportunities, development of their communication and industrial infrastructure, and the businessmen reap the harvest as partners,” Bilawal said.
He added that the provincial government, carrying forward the concept of the public-private partnership, had constructed the Karachi-Thatta dual carriageway, the Jhirk-Mulakatiar Bridge on River Indus, launched coal-mining with Engro corporation for power generation in Thar, and these projects were running successfully.
The PPP chief proudly said that the public-private partnership unit of the Sindh government has been recognised as the sixth best-performing department by the International Intelligence Unit of the Economist.
“The Economist’s Intelligence Unit has issued a rating of public-private partnership projects in Asia,” he said, adding that under the rating, Thailand, Philippines, and China were at number one, two, and three respectively.
“India is at four, the Gujrat state of India is at five, while Sindh province is at number 6,” he said. He added that number seven has been given to Vietnam and Bangladesh, and ninth rating has been awarded to Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, and Pakistan.
Bilawal said that the rating showed that the PPP government has secured international recognition for its performance.
Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said, “The Pakistan Peoples Party is committed to bringing about social development and economic prosperity, and the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone (SEZ) stands as a testament to our dedication to that goal,” he said.
He invited investors, industrialists, and traders to explore the Dhabeji SEZ, a thriving hub that brimmed with untapped investment opportunities.
CM Shah said the Dhabeji SEZ held the boundless potential for growth, innovation, and prosperity. Murad said that, as we have gathered here for the groundbreaking ceremony, we reaffirm our commitment to creating an environment to nurture economic development and attract investment.
“The Dhabeji SEZ offers a strategic location, meticulously planned infrastructure, and supportive policies that provide an unparalleled platform for businesses to flourish,” he said.
The CM extended a warm welcome to investments in various sectors, ranging from physical infrastructure and the social sector to clean energy and water management.
“This SEZ presents an avenue for transformative projects that will have a lasting impact on the lives of our citizens,” he said.
Shah said that the Dhabeji SEZ was not just a symbol of progress, but a testament to his government’s unwavering commitment to building a better future for Sindh.
The ceremony showcased the commitment and collaboration between public and private stakeholders in driving economic growth and prosperity.
The Dhabeji Special Economic Zone, the largest SEZ in Pakistan, has greater significance given its geographic and strategic location. It has easy access to Port Qasim, enabling raw material import and finished goods exports without incurring major inland transportation costs and saving time.
Easy access to Karachi Airport will enable the safe travel of foreign workers and management personnel. The direct access to the National Highway will enable the transportation of goods to upcountry and Central Asian nations utilising the National Trade Corridor.
Designed to promote economic growth, attract foreign investment, and boost local industries, the Dhabeji SEZ will provide state-of-the-art infrastructure and a favourable business environment for various sectors.
With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and job creation, the SEZ aims to contribute significantly to regional economic development and prosperity. The project will attract an investment of approximately $5 billion and will generate employment of 150,000 directly or indirectly.
The ceremony was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, provincial ministers Sharjeel Memon, Nasir Shah, Gianchand, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, CM Special Assistant and host of the programme Syed Qasim Naveed, Chairman Sindh Investment Board Mohammad Waseem, MPA Riaz Shah Shirazi, diplomats of different countries, investors, industrialists, and bureaucrats.
