Sialkot Industrial Estate Project Gets Rs15bn Boost

By Saleem Mubarak

The Industries Department has approached the Punjab government for approval of Rs 15 billion to purchase land for the Sialkot Industrial Estate project. The provincial government approved the establishment of an industrial estate in Sialkot during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz, a couple of days ago.

The CM has set Oct 30 as the deadline for the Industries Department to complete all procedural work.

Punjab Government’s Approval Process for Industrial Estate

Talking to the Grand Lines, former President of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ikramul Haq— who is heading this project on behalf of the chamber— said that Secretary Industries Omar Masood chaired a meeting in connection with the preparation of a summary for submission to the Punjab government for fund allocation to purchase land.

He said that the meeting was attended by industrialists from Sialkot, including its president, Syed Ahtesham Mazhar, as well as officials from different departments, such as industries, irrigation, Punjab Industrial Estates Development and Management Company, among others.

Funding Options and Financial Structure

The Industries Department, he said, will request the CM for immediate funding of Rs 15 billion. Two options have been recommended to the CM: either the Government of Punjab provides the funds directly or obtains a loan from the Bank of Punjab.

He said that the land cost will be recovered in installments from allottees, with a recovery period set at three years. This follows the rules of Sundar Estate and Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company.

Export Expansion Goals and Industrial Growth

He said the zone is crucial for Pakistan’s export goals, as Sialkot’s current exports stand at nearly $2.75 billion– a figure that has remained stagnant for the past five years. “The industrialists and exporters of Sialkot are unable to expand their businesses due to a lack of space.

The Sialkot Chamber promised the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister that they will increase exports to $10 billion by 2050 through this zone,” he added.

He said that the Sialkot Industrial Estate covers 1406 acres and that the CM is fully convinced the project must be started immediately.

CM Maryam Nawaz’s Support and Policy Commitments

During the meeting, he said, the industrialists have been informed that the CM expressed displeasure over the long history of discriminatory treatment towards Sialkot.

Since 1961, Sialkot has had only a small estate and only one percent of exporters of the area are operating there. The CM vowed to personally inaugurate the zone as soon as possible, he added.

He said the Sialkot Chamber representatives asked the secretary to clarify the situation, as they had been told the zone was meant specifically for Saudi investors. The secretary, however, has assured them that the zone is intended for Sialkot’s existing industries, he said.

Key Sectors to Benefit from the New Industrial Zone

Mr. Haq said that five sectors– surgical, sports, leather, garments, and gloves– will benefit the zone. The goal is to relocate the industries outside the city so they can expand from small-scale operations into medium and large enterprises.

Author Profile

Saleem Mubarak: Award-winning investigative journalist with 20+ years of experience across Pakistan's leading news organisations, including 15+ years as Senior Staff Correspondent at Dawn. Driven by a lifelong passion for investigative journalism and human rights, with a proven record of hard-hitting stories that forced official action — from hospital negligence and illegal land grabs to harassment probes and social injustice. He is the recipient of the K.C. Kulish International Award for Excellence in Print Journalism.