Sindh an “economic gateway” for Potohar: Sindh Government Spokesperson

RAWALPINDI( W AM REPORT): Nadir Gabol, Spokesperson for the Government of Sindh, paid an official visit to the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) and called on RCCI President Usman Shaukat. He thanked the RCCI leadership for the warm welcome and appreciated the Chamber’s proactive role in national economic development.
During the meeting, President Usman Shaukat briefed the delegation on RCCI’s major initiatives, key events, and upcoming programs. He highlighted RCCI’s flagship REVIVE Pakistan Initiative, aimed at reviving national spirit, restoring investor confidence, and boosting economic growth. As part of this initiative, RCCI has successfully organized summits and conferences at the Governor Houses of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh, bringing together leading figures from Pakistan’s business community and diplomatic corps to develop actionable strategies for economic revitalization.
The Sindh Government Spokesperson lauded RCCI’s efforts and assured full support and cooperation, including collaboration with the Chief Minister’s Office, for organizing similar programs in the future. He described Sindh as the “economic gateway” for the Potohar region and urged Punjab-based manufacturers and exporters to capitalize on Sindh’s strategic ports, surplus energy resources, and internationally recognized Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework.
Addressing RCCI’s executive committee, the Spokesperson emphasized that political boundaries should not hinder economic integration. He stressed the importance of bridging the North-South divide by offering practical logistics and industrial solutions for up-country businesses.
Highlighting the Khairpur Special Economic Zone (KSEZ), located on the National Highway (N-5) near the Punjab-Sindh border, he described it as the most viable expansion point for Rawalpindi’s industries. He proposed agro-industrial collaboration by combining Sindh’s surplus raw materials—particularly dates and cotton—with Rawalpindi’s strengths in packaging and light engineering.
On energy, the Spokesperson underscored Sindh’s contribution to the national grid through the Thar Coal Project and the Gharo–Jhimpir Wind Corridor, noting that Sindh’s resources are powering industrial growth across Pakistan. He invited private sector investment in ancillary energy services, highlighting Thar’s vast coal reserves and the province’s significant wind energy potential.
To build investor confidence, he showcased Sindh’s PPP model, ranked 6th in Asia by the Economist Intelligence Unit, as a secure and de-risked investment framework where the government shares financial responsibility with investors.
The delegation also highlighted major infrastructure developments, including the Shahrah-e-Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, which now provides a high-speed, access-controlled link between Karachi Port and the M-9 Motorway, significantly reducing logistics turnaround times.
Ease of doing business was emphasized through the Sindh Business One Stop Shop (SBOSS), a digital portal offering over 130 services from 16 departments, enabling investors to register and operate remotely with full transparency.
The meeting concluded with an invitation to RCCI leadership to visit Dhabeji SEZ and the award-winning Khairpur SEZ. The session ended with joint prayers led by Nadir Gabol and President Usman Shaukat for the victims of the Gul Plaza tragedy.