Month: August 2026

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Industries, Commerce and Investment Chaudhry Shafay Hussain on Friday invited American investors to capitalise on Punjab’s business-friendly environment, highlighting the province’s investor incentives, expanding industrial base and vast opportunities for bilateral cooperation.

He said this while addressing “Punjab-U.S Business Forum: Strengthening Partnerships, Expanding Opportunities, Advancing Shared Prosperity,” organized by Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT) at a local hotel on Friday.

The minister welcomed the business, investment and commerce delegation from the United States in Lahore and said that Punjab was the right destination for investment, offering attractive incentives in its Special Economic Zones (SEZs), including zero customs duty on imported machinery, a 10-year income tax exemption, uninterrupted electricity and gas supply, and modern infrastructure.

He said the provincial government was committed to facilitating investors by providing roads, sewerage and other essential infrastructure, while all required no-objection certificates (NOCs) would be processed through Business Facilitation Centres within 30 days.

Shafay Hussain said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had further simplified investment procedures by allowing construction work to begin in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) even if some NOCs were still under process.

Highlighting the province’s industrial growth over the past two and a half years, he said several industries had expanded their production capacity, particularly in the surgical sector. He noted that Sialkot’s world-renowned surgical instruments were being exported extensively, with nearly 90 percent destined for the United States and Canada.

The minister said Punjab was also witnessing expansion in the sports goods, ceramics and tiles sectors within its free zones. He added that, for the first time in Pakistan’s history, Chinese mobile phone manufacturer Vivo had launched local manufacturing, while a chip frame manufacturing facility was under construction in the Faisalabad Free Zone, with around 40 percent of the project already completed. Commercial production is expected to begin within the next one and a half years.

He said electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing had also gained momentum in Punjab, with electric bike factories already operational and investments flowing into lithium battery production. Several Chinese EV brands had also established manufacturing plants in the province.

The minister said the Punjab government was providing interest-free loans to investors through the Bank of Punjab, adding that a survey conducted last year showed around 70 percent of traders had benefited from the scheme.

Referring to his visit to the United States two years ago, Shafay Hussain said there was immense untapped potential for economic cooperation between Pakistan and the US, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. He said Punjab was establishing a 200-acre pharmaceutical zone in the Sheikhupura Free Zone, which would serve as a high-tech hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing.

He invited the US delegation to engage with Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry, saying local companies were producing high-quality products with strong export potential for the American market.

The minister also stressed the need for collaboration in soybean cultivation, agricultural technology and cotton production, noting that Pakistan’s textile industry, which employs around 35 percent of the country’s labour force, could benefit from advanced US expertise and high-quality cotton varieties.

He said Punjab had strengthened technical and vocational education by upgrading laboratories and establishing skill development institutions in industrial zones to meet the needs of modern industries.

Calling for sustained engagement between both sides, Shafay Hussain said the government believed in practical outcomes rather than merely signing memorandums of understanding (MoUs). He emphasized that continuous follow-up and the formation of working groups would be essential to transform discussions into tangible investment and trade partnerships.

The delegation was briefed on investment opportunities in Punjab across various sectors, including energy, agriculture, livestock, minerals, mining, pink salt and other industries. More than 30 delegates attended the event.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has sought a foolproof plan to provide clean water across the province.

An important meeting of the Punjab Clean Water Authority was held under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. It was decided in the meeting that like Suthra Punjab, the Clean Water Authority Punjab should be restructured and upgraded on modern lines, and the Punjab Clean Water Authority will be fully empowered in terms of technology and administration.

During the meeting, it was informed that the Saaf Pani Authority will be provided with modern technology, human resources, and transport, all trucks and plants of the Saaf Pani Authority will be monitored, RO plants and modern filtration technology will be installed according to regional needs, plant ID, operator’s name, phone number, and working hours will be recorded on filtration plants and RO plants in the province.

In the meeting, it was agreed to hire the services of an international consultancy for the provision of clean drinking water across Punjab, and it was decided that the latest Japanese and Chinese technology will be introduced for the provision of clean water.

Furthermore, orders were given to expedite measures to provide clean drinking water to citizens across Punjab.

During the briefing, it was informed that the provision of clean water through mobile bottling plants has been started for remote areas, more than 2,400 families are benefiting from the active bottling plants in remote areas daily.

The meeting ordered to ensure the repair and maintenance of all 5,734 water filtration plants, while instructions were also given to install more plants as required. The scope of the Punjab Clean Water Authority will be extended to all districts and tehsils of the province.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that the Punjab Clean Water Authority will be made active and organized on the model of Clean Punjab, the Clean Water Project is very close to my heart, laziness or negligence will not be tolerated.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that along with development projects, providing clean water to the citizens is the most important priority.

Lahore: The Special Education Society, Civil Services Academy, on Friday organised an event at the Jinnah Auditorium to promote awareness, inclusion, and support for persons with disabilities.

The event was graced by chief guest Farhan Aziz Khawaja, Director General, Civil Services Academy, along with Bilal Akram Butt, Director Administration and Finance, Civil Services Academy. The guest of honour was Shaista Pervaiz Malik, MNA and CEO, LABARD. Other distinguished guests included Iram Anjum, Principal, Kinnaird College, Lahore, and Samya Mustansar, Resource Person, Special Education Society, and Additional Director Finance, Civil Services Academy.

The event commenced with a powerful Theatrical Performance on Down syndrome, sensitively portraying the importance of empathy, acceptance, and equal opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome.

Another key highlight was the launch of the ‘Humnawa App’, developed in collaboration with the Punjab Safe Cities Authority Tech Team. The application aims to connect volunteer writers with visually impaired students, enabling them to receive writing assistance during examinations.

The event also featured a ‘Bake Sale in collaboration with LABARD’, showcasing handmade crafts and baked products prepared by specially-abled children. The stalls received an enthusiastic response from probationary officers and distinguished guests.

During the event, Bilal Akram Butt appreciated the launch of the Humnawa App, stating, ‘Humnawa is a remarkable initiative that reflects the true spirit of public service. By connecting volunteers with visually impaired students, it demonstrates how technology can be used to remove barriers and create equal educational opportunities.’ In her address, Shaista Pervaiz Malik remarked, ‘We have overlooked blindness in our programme at LABARD, but we are looking forward to working on it,’ acknowledging the need for greater focus on visual impairment in future initiatives. She appreciated the efforts of the Special Education Society in promoting awareness and inclusion.

The programme concluded with an inspiring message by Samya Mustansar, stressing the importance of inclusive education, equal opportunities, and collective responsibility in building a more compassionate and accessible society. Her remarks were highly appreciated by the audience.

Lahore: In line with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision, the Suthra Punjab Authority has stepped up its relief and sanitation efforts in flood-affected areas, working closely with the district administration to provide timely assistance to affected communities.

Director General of the Suthra Punjab Authority, Umar Javed, paid an emergency visit to a flood relief camp in Ferozewala to review ongoing sanitation operations and assess field arrangements.

During the visit, the DG inspected the performance of sanitation workers deployed under the Suthra Punjab initiative and evaluated the effectiveness of cleanliness operations in the affected areas. He directed the concerned officers to remain present in the field and ensure strict monitoring of all operational activities.

Javed emphasized the need for further improvement in sanitation operations through effective supervision and instructed officials to ensure the timely provision of high-quality sanitation services to residents.

He said that the district administration and the Suthra Punjab Authority are working round the clock to maintain cleanliness in flood-hit areas and provide maximum relief to the public.

The Director General also met with the frontline sanitation workers, appreciating their dedication and commitment to delivering essential public services under challenging conditions. He described their contribution to operational activities and public service delivery as commendable.

Reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to public welfare, Umar Javed stated that serving the people remains the organization’s top priority and that all available resources are being utilized to provide relief and restore sanitation services in flood-affected areas.