Shaharyar Gul appointed as CEO KPEZDMC to accelerate industrialization

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Apr, 2026) The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has appointed Shaharyar Gul as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KPEZDMC), with effect from 2 April 2026.

The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the province, as KP seeks to position its economic zones as credible and competitive destinations for domestic and international investment.

Mr Gul brings more than 25 years of experience in private sector development, investment facilitation, and stakeholder engagement. His career spans donor-funded development projects and diplomatic missions, through which he has contributed to economic development initiatives across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He has a record of sustained engagement with government institutions, chambers of commerce, and international development partners.

“KP has long had the ingredients for industrial growth — the geography, the workforce, the will. What the economic zones need now is focused, sustained effort: creation of an enabling environment, better facilitation for investors, stronger coordination across stakeholders, and consistent follow-through.

That is what I intend to bring,” said Mr Gul.

As CEO, Mr Gul will lead KPEZDMC's mandate to develop and manage Economic Zones and Special Economic Zones across the province. His priorities will include strengthening investor facilitation services, deepening coordination with government bodies and the private sector, and advancing KP's profile as a destination for industrial investment and employment.

Ms Afshan Khan, Member of the board of Directors and Chairperson of the BoD’s business Development and Communications Committee, expressed confidence that Mr Gul's appointment will bring renewed momentum to the organization’s work.

His familiarity with both the institutional landscape and the challenges facing investors in KP is expected to translate into more effective engagement, greater investor confidence, and a measurable increase in the pace of zone development and job creation across the province.