CM orders surveillance of mineral resources

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered the authorities concerned to ensure effective surveillance of mineral resources in the province and prepare an easy and feasible plan for local and foreign investors.

She was chairing a meeting of the mines and minerals department in which a proposal to set up a special economic zone for value-added products made from rock salt was reviewed.

The chief minister sought a comprehensive business plan related to a gold and iron project.

The meeting reviewed prospects regarding declaration of a special economic zone in Quaidabad as tax-free for 10 years. Basic infrastructure will be provided in the zone.

The chief minister was informed in a briefing that priority will be given to exporting pink salt in the shape of value-added products instead of raw material.

An estimate of 261 million tonnes of iron ore reserves in Chiniot has been made.

She was informed that 33,000 kilograms of gold can be obtained from the Pulsar Gold Project, for which the Environment Protection Agency has given approval.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stated in her Earth Day message, "The earth is not only ours, but also a trust of the future generations. To protect earth, we have to save its natural resources and trees."

She highlighted, "To make the earth safe, we have to combat the challenges of pollution and climate change."

The chief minister said, "The Punjab government is at the forefront of a mission to protect the natural habitat. We have made environmental protection a central part of our policy. Millions of trees have been planted under the Green Punjab campaign to protect the earth."

Enforcement authority

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced while presiding over a meeting that the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) would be made functional in Lahore next month and in all divisional headquarters of the province by August 14.