Punjab Province

Rawalpindi | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has revised its earlier plan to establish a Special Economic Zone along the Rawalpindi Ring Road and has decided to develop an industrial estate instead, after policy constraints linked to ongoing discussions with the International Monetary Fund made the SEZ model difficult to pursue at this stage.
According to reliable sources, the Punjab Industrial Estates Development and Management Company has approved the establishment of an industrial estate in the corridor adjacent to the Rawalpindi Ring Road project. The decision marks a major shift from the earlier proposal, under which a full-fledged Special Economic Zone was expected to be developed along the route to attract investment, promote manufacturing and generate employment.
Officials said the key reason behind the change was the fiscal limitation on tax exemptions and incentive packages normally offered under the SEZ framework. Under the current economic environment and discussions with international lenders, the government is not in a position to extend the broader concessions typically associated with Special Economic Zones.
As a result, the provincial authorities have opted for an industrial estate model, which can be implemented within the existing fiscal framework while still creating opportunities for industrial growth in the region.
Sources said that after the required legislative approval from the Punjab Assembly, the land acquisition process for the proposed industrial estate is expected to begin under the relevant legal provisions. The acquired land will later be offered to industrial investors at comparatively affordable rates in order to encourage manufacturing, commercial activity and private sector investment along the Ring Road corridor.
The proposed industrial estate is being viewed as an important economic component of the Rawalpindi Ring Road project, which is currently in its final stages of completion. The 38.6-kilometre Ring Road stretches from Banth Interchange on GT Road to Thalian Interchange on the motorway and is being completed at a revised cost of Rs51 billion.
Officials said the main carriageway and four of the five interchanges, including Banth, Chak Beli Khan, Adiala and Chakr, are nearing completion. The project is expected to be opened to traffic shortly after its formal inauguration.
However, construction work on the Thalian Interchange has faced delays. The interchange has been designed as a broad-based connectivity point, while the National Highway Authority is expected to complete the connecting link from Thalian to Sangjani at a later stage.
Business groups and industrial stakeholders had long demanded the establishment of an economic zone along both sides of the Rawalpindi Ring Road, arguing that the project could become a major investment corridor for the twin cities and surrounding areas. Earlier official engagements with the business community had also indicated support for such a plan.
Representatives of the business community said industrialists remain interested in investing in the area, provided land is made available at reasonable prices and supporting infrastructure, including roads, utilities and access routes, is developed effectively.
Officials maintained that although the SEZ model is not feasible for now due to IMF-linked policy restrictions, the industrial estate framework will still help unlock the economic potential of the Ring Road corridor and support industrial expansion in Rawalpindi and adjoining areas.

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Lahore High Court has decided to install solar systems in session courts buildings and other subordinate courts across Lahore in an effort to ensure that judicial work continues without interruption despite power outages and electricity disruptions.
According to officials, each court will be equipped with a 4-kilowatt solar system under the project. The initiative is aimed at providing a reliable power backup to courtrooms and related judicial offices so that hearings, case proceedings and other administrative matters are not affected by load-shedding or sudden electricity breakdowns.
Court sources said uninterrupted electricity supply is essential for the smooth functioning of the judicial system, particularly as court proceedings increasingly depend on digital systems, electronic records, communication tools and other basic office equipment. The installation of solar systems is expected to help reduce delays caused by power failures and improve the working environment for judges, lawyers, court staff and litigants.
The project is being carried out under the supervision of the Lahore High Court administration, which has directed that work on the installation of solar systems be completed at a fast pace. Officials said the process of providing solar systems to subordinate courts is already progressing and the project is expected to be completed by August.
A total amount of Rs 186.2 million has been allocated for the installation of solar systems in subordinate courts. The funds will be used for procurement, installation and related technical work required to make the solar systems operational.
The move is also being seen as part of broader efforts to improve infrastructure in the lower judiciary and ensure that courts are able to function efficiently without depending entirely on the conventional electricity supply. Officials said the solar project will not only help maintain continuity in judicial proceedings but may also contribute to reducing electricity costs over time.
Once completed, the project is expected to provide a more stable and sustainable power solution for subordinate courts in Lahore, helping the justice system operate more smoothly and reducing inconvenience for litigants whose cases are often affected by administrative or technical delays.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the establishment of Pakistan’s first coal based fertilizer plant under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, describing it as a game changing project for the country’s agriculture, industrial development and food security.
According to PCJCCI, the project involves an investment of $1.12 billion and is expected to increase local fertilizer production while reducing Pakistan’s dependence on imported fertilizers. The chamber said the project would play an important role in strengthening the agriculture sector, ensuring timely and relatively affordable fertilizer supplies for farmers, promoting industrial activity and creating new employment opportunities.
PCJCCI President Nazir Hussain said the use of local coal resources for fertilizer production was a highly significant development for Pakistan. He said the initiative would help ensure continuity in fertilizer supply, reduce import pressure and lower production costs for farmers.
He said the first coal based fertilizer plant under CPEC was not merely an industrial project but a strategic investment in Pakistan’s agricultural future. The availability of affordable and consistent fertilizer, he added, would directly support higher crop yields, strengthen food security and improve the competitiveness of Pakistan’s agricultural exports.
PCJCCI Senior Vice President Brigadier Mansoor Saeed Sheikh said China had achieved remarkable success in agricultural modernization, offering valuable lessons for Pakistan. He said Pakistan had immense untapped potential across its diverse agro-climatic zones, which could be utilized through modern irrigation, smart farming and improved cultivation practices.
He said dryland farming could be promoted through modern technology, while the Indus Delta region could benefit from Chinese models of integrated rice and fish farming. He added that modern Chinese techniques, particularly water-based cultivation systems, could also be adopted in Sindh’s coastal areas and small islands to increase agricultural output despite environmental and water-related challenges.
PCJCCI Vice President Amir Ali said the coal-based fertilizer plant would not be limited to fertilizer production but would also serve as a foundation for broader agricultural reforms and modernization. He said China’s expertise in agricultural mechanization, smart farming, aquaculture and agro-industrial development could help Pakistan fully utilize the potential of its agriculture and blue economy sectors.
Chamber officials said the project reflected how Chinese investment could contribute effectively to Pakistan’s long-term development goals, food security, industrial expansion and sustainable agricultural growth.