Sialkot to get new industrial estate

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has granted approval in principle to establish a new industrial estate in Sialkot.

Chairing a meeting to review matters relating to industrial estates across the province, she agreed to a proposal to develop the zone on 400 acres of land near Sialkot International Airport.

She also agreed to offer four industrial estates to foreign investors in addition to those in Bhalwal, Vehari and Bahawalpur being considered for Saudi investment.

In a significant move, she decided to allocate the Chunian Industrial Estate to the fisheries department.

The chief minister was presented audit reports of the Faisalabad and Punjab industrial estates development and management companies, revealing multiple irregularities and financial discrepancies.

She ordered immediate action against those responsible for the financial irregularities.

It was also agreed in the meeting to amend existing rules and regulations to ensure success of industrial estates across Punjab.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities concerned to carry out a comprehensive review and restructuring of the current policy governing all industrial estates in the province.

She said, "Fraud was being committed right under the nose of the previous administration and no one bothered to intervene. It is our foremost duty to safeguard every inch of government land in the province."

In another development, Chief Minister.Maryam Nawaz announced on a social networking site that the Punjab government had launched an 'Ebiz' portal providing investors complete online facilities for seeking permits, licences, registration and land use conversion.