Rawalpindi:Special economic zones planned along the Rawalpindi Ring Road (RRR) are expected to stimulate regional economic activity, generate employment and improve public facilities, Commissioner Rawalpindi and Director General Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) Engineer Aamir Khattak said on Monday.
He made the remarks while chairing a meeting at the RDA conference room to review ongoing and upcoming development projects of the authority. During the meeting, Chief Planner RDA Muhammad Tahir Meo and Director of Engineering Muhammad Anwar Baran briefed participants on several initiatives, including the RRR Economic Zones, the Nullah Lai project, rehabilitation of the slip road at Faizabad Interchange, construction of a multi-storey commercial building on Rashid Minhas Shaheed Road, and improvement of Al-Hannan Masjid Road.
Officials said the Ring Road Economic Zones project envisages the establishment of logistics and education centres, a health city, a dry port, business hubs, industrial zones, transport terminals, wholesale markets, amusement parks and residential communities along both sides of the Ring Road.
The project is expected to boost economic activity in the region, create jobs and expand public amenities, they added, noting that efforts are underway to complete it within the stipulated timeframe.
Khattak appreciated the progress made so far and said that the development of special economic zones along the Ring Road would promote growth and modernisation through advanced town-planning practices.
He said the initiative would also help manage urban expansion and curb encroachments through a comprehensive long-term planning framework. Emphasising the importance of private-sector participation, the commissioner said the RDA would continue to support the business community and facilitate investment in the project.
He added that encouraging private investment and increasing exports were key to addressing economic challenges. The Rawalpindi Ring Road project aims to improve economic connectivity and road transport efficiency between Rawalpindi and Islamabad while contributing to a cleaner, healthier and safer urban environment.
The meeting was attended by Additional Commissioner Rawalpindi Mansoor Ahmad Khan, Additional Director General RDA Syed Masood Ahmad, Director General Parks and Horticulture Authority Ahmad Hassan Ranjha, and others.
