• • Rashakai** (Pashto: راشکۍ; Urdu: راشکائی) is a town located in the **Nowshera District** of **Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)**, Pakistan. It is situated approximately 20 kilometers east of the provincial capital, Peshawar, and lies along the historic **Grand Trunk Road**. Rashakai has gained significant attention in recent years due to its inclusion in the **China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)** as the site of the **Rashakai Special Economic Zone (SEZ)**, a key industrial and economic development project.

1. 1. Etymology

The name **Rashakai** (راشکۍ) has its roots in the **Pashto language**. According to local mythology and linguistic traditions, the term **"Rashakai"** means **"heap of grains"** or **"collection of grains."** This meaning is derived from the Pashto phrase **"دانه راشکۍ" (Dane Rashakai)**, which refers to the act of gathering scattered grains into one place. In Urdu, this is expressed as **"اناج کا ڈھیر" (Anaj ka Dher)**. The name likely reflects the area's historical association with agriculture and its fertile lands in the **Peshawar Valley**.

The mythology and meaning of "Rashakai" were contributed by **Jahan Bakht Khan Jahan**, a local historian and cultural expert, who has preserved and shared this oral tradition.

1. 1. Geography and Demographics

Rashakai is located in the fertile **Peshawar Valley**, near the banks of the **Kabul River**. The town is part of the broader **Nowshera District**, which is known for its agricultural productivity and strategic location. The region is predominantly inhabited by **Pashtuns**, with a mix of other ethnic groups. The primary languages spoken are **Pashto** and **Hindko**, with Urdu also widely understood.

1. 1. Historical Significance

Rashakai has historically been a small but strategically important settlement due to its proximity to Peshawar and its location along the Grand Trunk Road, an ancient trade route connecting South Asia with Central Asia. The area has witnessed the influence of various empires, including the **Gandhara civilization**, **Mauryan Empire**, **Mughal Empire**, and **British Raj**.

During the British colonial era, Nowshera (and by extension, Rashakai) became an important military cantonment due to its strategic location near the **Khyber Pass**, a key gateway to Afghanistan and beyond.

1. 1. Rashakai Special Economic Zone (SEZ)

The **Rashakai SEZ** is one of the flagship projects under the **China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)**, a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure and economic development initiative between Pakistan and China. The SEZ is designed to promote industrial growth, attract foreign investment, and create employment opportunities in the region.

1. 1. 1. Key Features of the Rashakai SEZ:

- **Location**: The SEZ is strategically located near the **Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway (M-1)**, providing easy access to major cities like Peshawar, Islamabad, and Lahore. - **Size**: The SEZ spans approximately **1,000 acres**, making it one of the largest economic zones in Pakistan. - **Industries**: The zone is planned to host a variety of industries, including textiles, automotive, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and electronics. - **Infrastructure**: The SEZ will feature state-of-the-art infrastructure, including roads, utilities, and industrial facilities, to attract both domestic and international investors. - **Economic Impact**: The project is expected to create thousands of jobs and contribute significantly to the local and national economy.

1. 1. Transportation and Connectivity

Rashakai is well-connected to major cities and transportation networks: - **Grand Trunk Road**: The historic road passes through Rashakai, connecting it to Peshawar and other parts of Pakistan. - **Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway (M-1)**: The motorway provides rapid access to Islamabad and other key economic hubs. - **Proximity to Peshawar**: Rashakai is located just 20 kilometers from Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, making it a convenient location for trade and commerce.

1. 1. Culture and Society

The culture of Rashakai reflects the broader Pashtun traditions of the region. The people are known for their hospitality, strong tribal ties, and rich cultural heritage. Traditional Pashtun music, dance, and cuisine are integral parts of daily life. Religious and cultural festivals, such as **Eid** and **Jashn-e-Baharan**, are celebrated with enthusiasm.

1. 1. Education and Healthcare

Rashakai has a growing number of educational institutions and healthcare facilities. Schools and colleges in the area provide primary and secondary education, while higher education institutions in nearby Peshawar and Nowshera cater to advanced studies. Healthcare services are available through local clinics and hospitals, with more specialized care accessible in Peshawar.

1. 1. Future Prospects

With the development of the Rashakai SEZ and its inclusion in CPEC, Rashakai is poised to become a major industrial and economic hub in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The project is expected to transform the local economy, create employment opportunities, and improve infrastructure in the region. Additionally, the town's strategic location and connectivity make it an attractive destination for investment and development.

1. 1. See Also

- **Nowshera District** - **China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)** - **Peshawar Valley** - **Khyber Pakhtunkhwa** - **Special Economic Zones in Pakistan**

1. 1. References

1. [Official CPEC Website](http://cpec.gov.pk) 2. [Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Portal](http://kp.gov.pk) 3. [Pakistan Bureau of Statistics](http://pbs.gov.pk) 4. Historical and cultural references from local archives and oral histories.

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• • Article written by:**

Amar Shah Hoti Yousafzai امر شاه هوتي یوسفزئی

• • Mythology and meaning contributed by:**

Jahan Bakht Khan Jahan جہان بخت خان جہان

The town gained importance in 2007, when an interchange of the M1 Motorway was constructed here. Rashakai interchange serves for Nowshera, Mardan and northern parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, i.e., Malakand, Swat, Buner, Dir and Chitral.

Before 2007, the small town of Rashakai was famous for its cloth market (Shireen Kotay). It used to be among the top cloth markets in the province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (also in other parts of Pakistan), it still flourishes but at the same time many other cloth markets have emerged. The famous cloth market is situated on West side of Noshehra-Mardan road and on South side of M1 motorway, this area is called Shireen Kotay that is about 1.5 km from Rashakai towards Noshehra.

Economic activity focuses on the cloth market, and of lately that of providing fuel to vehicles entering the M1. A few fuel stations provide petrol, diesel and CNG to vehicles as well as maintenance and washing services. 'Agriculture':- Agriculture is also of the Main economic activity of the Town. Transport Business is also one of the Main Source of Income and hotels for the travelers who passes through this village. The Importance of this village is totally Changed after the Construction of Motor Way and Rashakai Inter Change.

After the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, the importance of Rashakai is increased and now it is also called Technology City.^[1]

As mentioned before that after the project of CPEC, Rashakai gained so much importance and even now it is called Rashakai Economic Zone. And it will be an economic hub for the rest of nearby locality and sounded cities of KPK.^[2]

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has decided to construct ‘China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) City’ on Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway near Rashakai.

According to government sources, the city will be constructed on eighty thousand Kanal lands at a cost of over four billion dollars under CPEC and will consist of education and commercial zones, public buildings, apartments, golf course, theme park and sports facilities.^[3]

• rashakai.com