Muhammad Shakeel Munir, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has called upon the Rawalpindi Development Authority to ensure the establishment of industrial zones along the Rawalpindi Ring Road as these zones were very important to boost industrialization, promote investment, improve government’s tax revenue and create jobs for people in the region. He made this demand during the visit of Tariq Mahmood Murtaza, Chairman, Rawalpindi Development Authority to the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Jamshaid Akhtar Sheikh Senior Vice President, Muhammad Faheem Khan Vice President ICCI, Tariq Sadiq President Islamabad Industrial Association, Khalid Javed, Mian Shaukat Masud, Khalid Iqbal Malik, Sheikh Amir Waheed, Omais Khattak, Hafiz Bilal Munir, Rana Qaiser Shehzad, Akhtar Hussain, Sardar Tahir Mahmood, Muhammad Naveed Malik, Khalid Chaudhry, Zahid Rafique and others were present in the meeting.
Speaking at the occasion, Tariq Mahmood Murtaza, Chairman, Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) briefed the business community about the status of Rawalpindi Ring Road project. He said that the demand of the business community for industrial zones along the ring road was very genuine and hoped that the government would give due consideration to this proposal. He said that the Prime Minister was scheduled to inaugurate the 38.3 Km revised ring road on 25th of December this year and RDA would try to complete it within 18 months. He said that this important project would address the traffic congestion issues of the twin cities as all heavy traffic would be shifted to this road. He said that RDA would also construct Kuchehri Chowk, Defence Chowk and Nala Lai projects in Rawalpindi for the facilitation of citizens.
Jamshaid Akhtar Sheikh Senior Vice President ICCI said that Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry was working with the government for the establishment of a new industrial estate in this region and emphasized that RDA should cooperate by identifying a suitable land for this key project along or in the vicinity of the ring road.
Muhammad Faheem Khan, Vice President ICCI said that RDA should construct fruits & vegetables market, truck stand and warehouse along the ring road as these were very important to promote the business activities.
Former Presidents ICCI Khalid Javed, Tariq Sadiq, Mian Shaukat Masud, Khalid Iqbal Malik, Sheikh Amir Waheed and other members of ICCI stressed that RDA should take up the matter with the government for the establishment of industrial zones along the ring road as availability of these zones along RRR was so important and would make the twin cities hub of business and economic activities.