Rs1b per zone proposed to shift polluting units
The divisional administration has submitted multiple proposals to the Punjab government for the establishment of at least two dedicated industrial zones aimed at relocating 111 hazardous industrial units operating within Faisalabad's densely populated urban areas.
Official documents revealed that each proposed industrial zone will cover around 200 acres, with an estimated development cost of Rs1 billion per zone.
The proposals, forwarded in a detailed summary prepared during the tenure of former Commissioner Raja Jahangir Anwar, also include a comprehensive package of financial and policy incentives to facilitate relocation.
These incentives include a proposed tax holiday of three to five years, soft loans with easy instalments and grace periods, relocation grants particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and tax exemptions on imported machinery to encourage industrial shifting to designated zones.
Officials have also requested the provincial government to approve the establishment of the new industrial estates under the proposed name "Maryam Nawaz Sharif Industrial Zone."
Sources said that in January 2026, the divisional administration had already constituted a District Industrial Relocation Committee (DIRC) to assess feasibility, stakeholder concerns, land requirements, incentives and the overall relocation framework.
Former Commissioner Raja Jahangir Anwar said Faisalabad, being one of Pakistan's largest industrial hubs and the second largest city of Punjab, has undergone rapid urban expansion over the years.
As a result, a large number of industrial units, particularly those involving hazardous materials, are now operating within residential areas.
He said this situation has created serious challenges, including air, water and noise pollution, public health risks, fire and chemical hazards, and excessive pressure on civic infrastructure.
He added that the divisional administration had initiated a structured and consultative process to relocate such industries to safer and properly planned industrial zones.
Earlier, a memorandum of understanding had also been signed between the divisional administration, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and multiple industrial associations to support the relocation initiative.
On the directions of the Commissioner Faisalabad, around 200 acres of land have already been identified on Satyana Road for the first phase of relocation.
The proposed site is intended to house hazardous industrial units shifted from urban areas to reduce environmental and safety risks.
Director General Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) Muhammad Asif Chaudhry, who also convenes the committee, said during a recent meeting that the identified land had been inspected on site along with Assistant Commissioner Jaranwala and other officials and declared suitable for an industrial estate.
He said the location benefits from an existing drainage system that can support industrial waste disposal.