ISLAMABAD: Business community of Balochistan has expressed hope that the defence housing schemes would attract heavy investment if they offer extra tax relief and incentives as compared to existing Special Economic Zones.
This was stated by Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) President Muhammad Ayub Maryani during a meeting with Administrator Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Quetta Brigadier Nadeem Sarfaraz along with office-bearers and members of the QCCI.
Speaking on the occasion, Patron-in-Chief of the Chamber Ghulam Farooq Khilji, UBG Patron-in-Chief S M Tanveer, FPCCI President Atif Ikram, QCCI President Muhammad Ayub Maryani, Senior Vice President Haji Akhtar Kakar and other business leaders said DHA Quetta is undoubtedly the future of the city.
They announced that an eight-member group led by Haji Ayub Maryani will continue negotiations with DHA, adding that the business community aims to benefit from opportunities in housing, healthcare, education, sports, industry and trade.
They also said that the community will visit DHA to review ongoing projects and emphasised the need for facilities that can attract investors from across Pakistan. They added that the DHA would draw more investment if it offers greater tax relief and incentives compared to existing Special Economic Zones.
Administrator DHA Quetta Brigadier Nadeem Sarfaraz said meeting the business community of Balochistan was an honour and such interactions would continue in the future. He invited the business community to visit DHA for a practical assessment of development work.
He said that during the next meeting, DHA would address the community’s questions and concerns in detail, with relevant government officials also present to ensure effective discussions. “This is not just a housing scheme; it will be a new city equipped with world-class modern facilities, ensuring access to all essential services,” he added.
He said that DHA Quetta is not merely a housing scheme but a fully equipped new city that will offer modern facilities in housing, healthcare, education, sports, industry and trade.
Earlier, Patron-in-Chief of the Chamber Haji Ghulam Farooq Khilji, President Haji Muhammad Ayub Maryani, Senior Vice President Haji Akhtar Kakar, Vice President Engineer Mir Wais Khan Kakar, Small Chamber’s Wali Khan Noorzai and others welcomed the visiting delegation.
DHA Director Ali Shafi briefed the participants and said that the project should be seen as “DHA Balochistan” rather than only DHA Quetta. He said that DHA will provide secure housing along with electricity, gas, water, healthcare, education, sports, and commercial facilities.
He stated that DHA has water reserves sufficient for 12,000 to 13,000 households for the next 15 to 20 years, and currently operates 8MW of active power grids. He added that the Special Economic Zone has been converted into the DIZ due to IMF reservations regarding SEZs.
He said DHA will offer up to 41 percent cheaper electricity to businesses and that the authority offers vast opportunities for investment in EV cars, battery manufacturing, cold storage, and IT and other sectors.
He further said that work on the SNG gas plant in DHA Quetta will begin in the coming months, while the Green Bus service to the authority will also become operational this month as part of ongoing development measures.
At the end of the meeting, the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry presented a commemorative shield to the Administrator DHA Quetta.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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