Punjab Development News

420-bus project, major industrial plans mark new investment push in Punjab​


By Gwadar Pro | Gwadar Pro
Nov 15, 2025

420-bus project, major industrial plans mark new investment push in Punjab


Minister Chaudhry Shafay Hussain in meeting with Chinese delegations. [Photo/ICI&SD]

LAHORE - Two major Chinese companies, Shenzhen Sea Energy Power Holding Company and Zhihyuzun Group, advanced large-scale investment plans in Punjab after meeting Provincial Minister for Industries, Commerce, Investment and Skill Development (ICI&SD) Punjab Chaudhry Shafay Hussain on Thursday, unlocking new opportunities in textile manufacturing, auto-parts production and intercity transport.

According to ICI&SD’ Punjab’s statement issued late Friday, the executives from Shenzhen Sea Energy Power Holding Company formally requested approval to establish industrial units on “250 acres of land in Quaid-e-Azam Business Park, Sheikhupura,” marking one of the most ambitious industrial proposals submitted to the park this year.
 
Zhihyuzun Group announced the launch of a two-phase intercity bus initiative. The company plans to operate “120 new buses in the first phase and 300 in the second phase,” with officials adding that “on success, the group will also shift its bus manufacturing plant to Punjab.” The move would position Punjab as a future hub for large-scale bus assembly and transport solutions.

Government estimates suggest the two companies’ combined investments will create more than 21,000 jobs, spanning manufacturing, services and logistics.
 
Shafay Hussain said the developments reflect rising confidence from global investors and said that Punjab’s “Special Economic Zones (SEZs) offer special incentives for foreign investors,” emphasizing that the province’s “investment-friendly environment has made Punjab the first priority” for companies looking to expand industrial operations in Pakistan.

Punjab has intensified efforts to attract foreign direct investment by expanding SEZs with streamlined approvals, infrastructure-ready plots and fiscal incentives. The Quaid-e-Azam Business Park, located along the M-2 Lahore-Islamabad Motorway, is emerging as a major industrial cluster, particularly for textiles, engineering goods and export-oriented manufacturing.

 
Preliminary investigations showed a gas leak inside the factory’s chemical warehouse triggered the explosion, local outlets reported, citing Faisalabad Commissioner Raja Jahangir Anwar.

Authorities arrested the factory manager but were still searching for the owner, who fled shortly after the incident.

The blast flattened the factory’s roof and those of a handful of nearby homes, causing fires to break out in at least three of them, according to Pakistani channel Aaj TV. Photos published by the channel showed flames leaping up from a central blast site and rescue crews crowding into the interior of a burning building.

The majority of those killed were residents from adjacent homes, including six children, authorities said.

Faisalbad, Pakistan map
Map showing Faisalabad in Pakistan [Al Jazeera]
Rescue crews searched for and dug people out of piles of rubble, according to TV channel Geo News. The seven injured people were receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.

Factory fires are not uncommon in the country. In 2024, an explosion at a textile mill in Faisalabad killed a dozen people, while a blast at a firecracker factory in Karachi killed four people and injured 11 more last week.
 
rip , but man so many fires and explosion at factories . in any other normal country people would be prosecuted for negligence
 
rip , but man so many fires and explosion at factories . in any other normal country people would be prosecuted for negligence
Being a neighbor to Afghanistan has its own consequences.

Not about this incident and RIP to the deceased. I referred to terrorist attacks.
 

Cheaper land spurs build-out of eight new factories in Bahawalpur zone​


Province streamlines procedures as investor interest rises in South Punjab
By
Monitoring Desk

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Lower land prices in the Bahawalpur Industrial Zone have triggered a new round of investment, with eight factories now under construction, officials said on Thursday.

Muhammad Sami of the Punjab Industrial Estate Development and Management Company said the plots being offered in the zone are priced well below those in other parts of the district, making the site more attractive to industrialists. He said the Punjab government is providing full support to companies setting up facilities there.

Sami said administrative steps have been simplified and key services ensured to speed up activity in the zone. He said the new factories are expected to create jobs, generate revenue and support the national economy.

Industrialist Farhan Ahmed said lower land rates and improved facilitation have strengthened business sentiment, though he noted that competitive electricity and gas prices are vital for long-term expansion.

Ahmed said the provincial government’s push for industrialisation in South Punjab is likely to produce positive results as policy continuity takes hold.

 

Chinese group to invest $1.5 billion in Punjab, set up 300-acre industrial park​


Agreement paves way for new factories in textiles, autos, pharmaceuticals and other sectors
By
News Desk


A Chinese investor group has signed an agreement with the Punjab government to develop a 300-acre industrial park in a Special Economic Zone, bringing an expected foreign investment of $1.5 billion to the province.

As per reports, the deal, formalised on Wednesday between the Punjab Department of Industries and Commerce and Sino-Pak Tech Industry (Pvt) Ltd, was signed at a ceremony held at PSIC House. Provincial Minister for Industries and Commerce Chaudhry Shafay Hussain and the company’s CEO, Pedric, signed the agreement in the presence of Chinese investors and officials from the Punjab Investment Board.

Under the plan, factories in textiles, automotive, pharmaceuticals and other sectors will be established in the industrial park. The provincial government will allocate land for the project inside one of Punjab’s Special Economic Zones.


Speaking at the ceremony, the provincial minister said the agreement reflects growing investor confidence. He noted that “several Chinese companies have already begun construction of their industrial units in Punjab,” adding that new foreign and domestic investments are central to creating employment opportunities.

Shafay said the government is offering incentives to encourage investment and is improving facilities within industrial estates, including a community centre for foreign investors and additional bank branches. He added that the Special Economic Zones have been equipped with infrastructure meeting international standards and urged investors to take advantage of the business environment in Punjab.
 
Punjab Approves Over 1,300 Modern Bus Shelters
By Arsalan Khattak | Published Nov 29, 2025 | 4:37 pm

The Punjab government has approved the construction of 1,362 new bus shelters designed to provide a safer and more comfortable experience for commuters. The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

According to the provincial administration, the government has set strict deadlines of 45 and 60 days for the construction of the new shelters. Officials said work on 588 shelters is already progressing rapidly, reflecting the government’s push for timely completion.

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The administration added that the tender for 774 additional shelters has been issued, moving the project into the next phase of rollout. These shelters will feature improved seating, better shade, and clean waiting areas.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized that commuters deserve dignified and comfortable facilities at bus stops. She directed authorities to ensure high-quality construction and expressed hope that upgraded shelters will improve the overall travel experience for millions of people.
 

ADB approves $381mn financing for Punjab

  • Funding to advance agriculture, education, and health services in the province

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved three projects totalling $381 million to advance agriculture, education, and health services in Punjab.

These development projects aim to foster economic growth in the province, which accounts for more than half of the country’s population and economic activity, read a statement on Saturday.

“Investing in education, health, and agricultural mechanisation will play a transformative role in driving the growth of Punjab, a vital pillar of Pakistan’s economy,“ said ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan.


“These strategic investments will modernise agriculture, enhance human capital, and significantly improve livelihoods for millions of people across Punjab.”

A $120 million concessional loan and a $4 million grant have been allocated to the Punjab Climate-Resilient and Low-Carbon Agriculture Mechanisation Project to accelerate the province’s transition to modern, disaster-resilient, and low-carbon agricultural practices, benefiting 220,000 rural farm households.

ADB highlighted that Punjab is the breadbasket of Pakistan, producing 75% of its wheat, 69% of its rice, and 91% of its maize. However, the province faces challenges due to its reliance on outdated machinery, resulting in significant grain losses.

Additionally, farmers are often compelled to burn crop residues, a practice that worsens air pollution and poses serious health risks to the population. To address these issues, the project promotes the adoption of modern agricultural mechanisation, such as rice harvesters.

ADB has also approved $107 million for the Responsive, Ready, and Resilient Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Secondary Education in Punjab Program. This includes a $7 million grant from ADB’s Asian Development Fund and a $100 million loan from ADB’s ordinary concessional capital resources.

“The results-based program aims to modernise secondary education by enhancing inclusive Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education across Punjab. The project, implemented by the Punjab School Education Department, will improve access to quality education for students across the province,” read the statement.

Lastly, ADB has approved a $150 million concessional loan for the Punjab Nursing and Health Workforce Reform Program to enhance nursing education, develop disaster-resilient training facilities, and strengthen health workforce governance in Punjab.

The Manila-based lender noted that Pakistan faces a shortage of qualified nurses amid growing global demand for trained nurses.

“The results-based program will focus on upgrading nursing curricula, expanding faculty development initiatives, and implementing a digital human resource management information system to align workforce planning with healthcare service needs. By expanding the pool of qualified nurses, predominantly women, the program will improve health service delivery across the province,” said ADB.

Under the nursing program, three centres of excellence will be established in Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi. These centres will feature state-of-the-art simulation laboratories, digital learning platforms, and gender-responsive hostels, addressing Punjab’s demand for a skilled healthcare workforce capable of meeting growing local needs and employment opportunities abroad.
 

Punjab launches country’s largest tractor scheme

Recorder Report
December 31, 2025

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LAHORE: Under the vision of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and the initiatives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab government has launched Pakistan’s largest tractor scheme, setting a new national record with the distribution of 30,000 tractors to farmers.

The Chief Minister said that the historic scheme aims to strengthen farmers economically and enhance agricultural productivity across the province. Under the first phase of the Chief Minister Tractor Programme, 10,000 tractors with 50 to 75 horsepower have already been provided to farmers.

The CM said that the second phase, which includes 10,000 tractors with 75 to 85 horsepower, has been completed through a transparent balloting process, while the distribution of tractors is currently under way. The Punjab government is providing a subsidy of up to Rs one million per high-horsepower tractor. A total subsidy of Rs 10 billion has been allocated for the high-power tractor scheme.
 
Under Construction 1000 Bed Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment & Research Lahore .

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