GUJRANWALA, Nov 7: The government will sympathetically consider the establishment of an export processing zone, an industrial display centre and expo centre in the city.

This was stated by Punjab Governor Lt-Gen Khalid Maqbool (retired) on Wednesday. He was speaking at a meeting of the Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry here

The governor said that the Punjab government would extend every support to the trade and industry sectors for the economic development in the province.

The decisions on economic and trade issues were being made in an impartial manner without caring for the interests of a particular group. “We have freed the State Bank and other financial institutions from the political influence, “ he said.

He said that economic revival was the top priority of the present government. The present government was trying to get a debt relief and increase market access to the world markets.

Referring to an agreement with the Dubai International Fund, he said that the deal would help strengthen the agriculture sector in the country.

The Punjab government will spent all available resources on the betterment of the people in the province, he said.

Stressing the need for a better coordination between elected representatives and businessmen, he said that Nazims should take the business community into confidence before imposing any tax.

He said that another overhead bridge would be constructed and revamping of the sewerage system and sui gas supply would be completed on priority basis.

Earlier, GCCI president Rana Nasir Mahmood and other members demanded that an exclusive package should be announced for Gujranwala.

Punjab Minister for Finance Tariq Hameed and Minister for Local Bodies Brig Hamid Saeed Akhtar (retired), District Coordination Officer Iftikhar Ahmad, District Nazim Chaudhry Fiaz Ahmad Chattha, DIG Khalid Farooq, SSP Muhammad Aslam Tarin and all executive district officers of various departments besides senior army and civil officers were also present on the occasion.

DELEGATIONS: The government would take every possible measure to protect the lives, property and business of the people.

The governor said this while talking to delegations of traders, ulema, lawyers and transporters at the Circuit House here.

The governor said that the introduction of the district government system under the devolution plan would bring about a ‘silent revolution’ in the society.

He said that the sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) would be answerable to the Nazim who would take care of the law and order in his union council.

He said that the matters relating to the departments like irrigation and forests which have not been devolved to the district level, would be resolved soon.

The government would provide every possible support to the functionaries of the new district government system.

The governor asked the district Nazim to ensure that problems like encroachments along the GT Road were resolved by his next visit.

He said that there was need for some place in Gujranwala to provide recreational facilities to the people.

Later, the governor was briefed on the on-going development works in the Gujranwala district by DCO Iftikhar Ahmad.

The governor expressed satisfaction over the progress of the completion of the schemes under the Khushal Pakistan Programme (KPP). He said that more KPP funds would be released by December.