LAHORE DIVISION

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency has launched Pakistan’s first skimming boat to remove floating plastic waste from canals and rivers, marking a major step in the province’s campaign against plastic pollution. According to officials, the pilot project will begin operations in the Lahore Canal, where a front-mounted collection system installed on the boat will gather plastic bags, bottles and other floating waste. The initiative is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the technology before expanding it to other waterways across Punjab. The announcement was made during a seminar in Lahore held to mark Plastic Bag Free Day. Parliamentary Secretary for Environment Kanwal Liaqat and EPA Punjab Director General Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating single-use plastic and protecting the environment. According to EPA Punjab, more than 50,000 businesses have pledged to stop using banned plastic bags. Enforcement teams have confiscated over 600,000 kilograms of prohibited plastic and imposed fines exceeding Rs20 million on violators. Officials said the province will continue strengthening its anti-plastic campaign through technology-based monitoring, stricter enforcement and implementation of the Punjab Plastic Management Strategy 2023. They also urged citizens and businesses to support efforts to make Punjab a plastic-free and environmentally sustainable province.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the Punjab Small Industries Corporation to immediately establish new industrial zones around Lahore to support industrial relocation and promote business activity. Lahore Chamber President Faheem ur Rehman Saigol expressed these views during a meeting with Punjab Small Industries Corporation Managing Director Mubeen Elahi. He said the relocation of industries would not be possible unless fully serviced industrial areas are developed at reasonable prices. The meeting was also attended by Lahore Chamber Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh, PSIC Director Estates Sabeeh Raza, Executive Committee members Syed Salman, Aamir Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohsin Bashir, Nadeem Ansari, Syed Hassan Raza, Shaban Akhtar and Irfan Qureshi. The participants discussed issues facing the industrial sector, the need for new industrial zones, relocation of industries and provision of better industrial infrastructure around Lahore. During the meeting, Punjab Small Industries Corporation Managing Director Mubeen Elahi briefed the delegation on the proposed new small industrial estate at Kot Pindi Das in Lahore. He said the project would cover around 130 acres and would aim to provide small and medium scale industries with a better and more organized industrial environment. Lahore Chamber representatives said that if electricity, gas, water, roads, sewerage, drainage and other basic facilities are provided at affordable rates in new industrial zones, it would become easier for industrialists to shift their businesses to planned industrial areas. The business community said the establishment of new industrial zones is necessary to reduce existing industrial pressure on Lahore, create employment opportunities and promote investment.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Punjab Small Industries Corporation has decided to establish a new small industrial estate at Kot Pindi Das in Lahore to provide industrial plots to small and medium scale investors. Punjab Small Industries Corporation Managing Director Mubeen Elahi shared the details during a meeting with a delegation of the Lahore Chamber. He said the proposed industrial estate would cover around 130 acres and include 364 industrial plots to be allotted through balloting. According to him, investors will be required to pay 40 percent of the plot price as down payment, while the remaining 60 percent can be paid in quarterly instalments over two years. Mubeen Elahi said the price has been fixed at Rs 5 million per kanal, including development charges. He added that financial facilities would also be provided to industrialists on easy terms to support small and medium scale industry. The project will include electricity, gas, water, roads, sewerage, drainage and other basic facilities to provide investors with the infrastructure needed to start industrial activity. The Managing Director said the project is being developed in line with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He said the initiative aims to promote industrial growth, employment opportunities and investment in the province.