Agha Shahid N Khan, Chairman Board of Directors, briefed the minister about the importance of joint efforts to transform the sector to mechanised methods of mining. Pakistan Stone Development Company (PASDEC) has significant technical expertise possesses modern machinery for establishing and up-gradation of marble and granite quarries as per international standards.
CEO PASDEC Zahid Maqsood Sheikh gave a detailed presentation of the company and highlighted the significant role and efforts of PASDEC in the development of sector across the country. He said that PASDEC had established more than five quarry projects in KP and promoted mechanised quarrying practices among mine owners. He said that mine owners are also using PASDEC's machinery on rental basis on their mines in the province.
"PASDEC had already set up an industrial estate (Marble City) in Risalpur which is dedicated for establishment of marble related factories. Ninety percent of development work has been completed on the project which will open the new doors of marble business in province," he added.
He also highlighted areas of collaboration between PASDEC and KP government including joint venture in quarrying, joint efforts for cluster development and establishment of training institutes for skills development in the province. On conclusion of the briefing and presentation, Provincial Minister Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli said that the briefing was quite informative and she is aware of sector development efforts of PASDEC.
She said that her department would like to seek PASDEC support for marble and granite sector development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Provincial Minister added that close collaboration of KP Mineral Development department with PASDEC will be truly beneficial for the province which is full of natural resources like marble and granite.