CM Maryam seeks plan for Green Economic Zone

A delegation of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) presented a proposal to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Monday for establishing a state-of-the-art Green Economic Zone in Punjab.

OPF Chairman Syed Qamar Raza briefed the chief minister on the proposed Green Industrial Economic Zone.

The chief minister welcomed the proposal and directed authorities to prepare a comprehensive action plan for its implementation.

She also announced a special incentives package for both local and foreign investors in the project.

She was informed that the proposed zone was expected to generate over 18,000 skilled employment opportunities and annual revenues exceeding Rs5.6 billion.

The project will feature integrated clean energy infrastructure, including solar, wind, hydro and ground-source energy, battery storage, and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) backup systems.

Officials said the export of environmentally friendly products from the zone could contribute up to 1.5 per cent to the country's GDP while strengthening the regional economy. The modern clean energy infrastructure is also expected to reduce carbon emissions and support the achievement of net-zero climate targets.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said Punjab welcomed every investor and was fully prepared for all forms of investment.

She said the provincial government had introduced a "Zero Time to Start" policy to facilitate new businesses and industries. She added that a one-window operation was in place to ensure the prompt issuance of all required No Objection Certificates (NOCs).

The chief minister said Punjab was providing a secure, peaceful and business-friendly environment free from unnecessary administrative and bureaucratic hurdles. "Our commitment is to transform Punjab into a global hub of modern green industry and commercial activity," she added.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz hailed international recognition received by the Services Hospital for excellence in stroke care.