Maryam Nawaz, Chief Minister of Punjab, has announced the launch of a tax-free Special Saudi Industrial Estate to attract Gulf investment and strengthen economic cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The announcement was made during a high-level meeting in Lahore on Saturday with a Saudi delegation led by Mansour bin Mohammad bin Saad Al Saud, Chairman of the Pakistan-Saudi Business Forum.
The meeting focused on Punjab’s investment potential, economic transformation, and ongoing governance reforms. Saudi officials praised Punjab’s people-centric development initiatives and expressed strong interest in key sectors, including livestock, mining, infrastructure, meat processing, and information technology.
The Special Saudi Industrial Estate is set to offer significant incentives to investors, including a ten-year tax holiday and a one-time customs duty waiver for project-related imports. To fast-track investment and ensure smooth implementation, a dedicated facilitation office will operate directly under the Chief Minister’s Office. This move is part of Punjab’s broader economic strategy to position itself as a preferred destination for foreign investment, particularly from Gulf nations.
The Punjab government has also extended the services of Punjab Mass Transit Authority to assist in operating the Mashar and Maqdis Metro Trains in Makkah. Maryam Nawaz highlighted that Punjab’s “zero time to start” investment policy aims to eliminate bureaucratic delays and enable rapid project rollouts.
She emphasized that public-private partnerships are central to Punjab’s development model, with energy, agriculture, mining, logistics, and tourism identified as priority sectors. To ensure practical outcomes, she proposed establishing joint working groups between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia supported by clear 30-, 60-, and 90-day action plans.
During her remarks, Maryam Nawaz also referenced the province’s first Central Business District in Lahore, symbolizing a shift towards modernization and economic diversification. She expressed gratitude for the historic defence pact signed last month between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, which strengthens security cooperation and reflects shared commitments to protect Makkah and Madina.
The Chief Minister invited Saudi investors to actively participate in Punjab’s economic transformation, emphasizing the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council and the Punjab Business Facilitation Centre in streamlining approvals and ensuring transparency.
Prince Mansour thanked the Punjab government for its hospitality and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening economic and cultural ties with Pakistan. He stated that Saudi investors see this collaboration as more than just a financial opportunity, describing Pakistan as a “brotherly nation.”
He also announced that the next phase of the strategic initiative would involve shifting certain operations from Madina to Pakistan under the “Made in Madina” vision. This initiative aims to build stronger economic integration across the Muslim world by manufacturing products in Pakistan for export to international markets.
The delegation expressed strong interest in Punjab’s mining sector and signaled plans to conduct a detailed assessment of its investment potential.
Maryam Nawaz concluded by noting that Punjab is entering a new era of opportunity, backed by a skilled workforce and investor-focused governance. She said that the collaboration between Saudi investors and Punjab’s development agenda could lay the foundation for long-term growth and regional cooperation.
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