Business

Punjab kicks off crackdown on unauthorised industrial units in residential areas

Published

4 months ago

June 10, 2026

Bilal

Senior Minister Punjab Maryam Aurangzeb chaired a high-level meeting on anti-smog here at Lahore during which the authorities agreed to undertake a massive crackdown against illicit industrial units being run in residential areas across the province.

As per the instructions of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who directed prompt action for removal of illegal industrial set-ups in residential areas of Lahore and other parts of the province and launch of enforcement operations, the meeting was held.

Illegal factories running in residential communities are a big source of environmental damage, officials said. It was also resolved to take action against illicit fat melting facilities and to move approved urban companies progressively to specialised industrial zones.

Meanwhile, the authorities said a detailed relocation plan has been prepared and all previously issued NOC for industrial units in residential areas are to be withdrawn with immediate effect. And authorities who approve such requests will also be subject to disciplinary proceedings.

Industries involved in burning wire and plastic are considerably contributing to air pollution, along with marble carving, wood workshops and small-scale units, the meeting was told. It was discovered that fumes emitted from burning plastics may lead to respiratory ailments, lung damage and possibly cancer.

Lahore has discovered and mapped 5,206 illegal industrial units, of which 4,514 are within residential limits. These industries are categorised into five groups based on their environmental impact.

Out of them 306 units were extremely high pollution, 676 high pollution, 539 medium pollution, 2,925 low pollution and 760 very low pollution units.

Maryam Aurangzeb said industry relocation strategy has been separated into short, medium and long-term phases. Large enterprises would be allocated land in new industrial zones away from residential areas, with basic utilities like electricity, water and roads.

Industrialists would also be granted incentives such as subsidised land, easing for import of machinery and waste treatment facilities. A permanent implementation committee with officials from Environment, Local Government, Police, LDA, Industries and Revenue Departments has been constituted to oversee timeframes, reforms and grievance redressal.

The recommendations were drawn up for phased implementation following consultations with more than 50 stakeholders and 14 sessions, using foreign case studies and local experience, officials said.

Business

Jet fuel price rises by Rs9.05 per litre in Pakistan

Published

2 hours ago

October 4, 2026

Bilal

Jet fuel prices have once again increased in the country, along with the price of kerosene oil.

The price of jet fuel has been increased by Rs9.05 per litre, while kerosene oil has become Rs7.68 per litre more expensive.

Following the increase, the new price of jet fuel has been fixed at Rs355.52 per litre, while kerosene oil will now cost Rs329.54 per litre.

Meanwhile, according to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division, the price of petrol has also been increased by Rs2.10 per litre, taking its new price to Rs392.76 per litre.

Business

Govt sets deadline of 20th Oct for pilgrims to pay 2nd Hajj installment

Published

2 hours ago

October 4, 2026

Bilal

The religious affairs ministry stated late Friday that the federal government has fixed October 20 as the deadline for intending pilgrims selected under the government Hajj system to deposit the second installment of their pilgrimage dues.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has set aside 107,526 slots for the government plan, including 30,000 for a shorter package, and another 71,696 slots have been granted to the private scheme for next year’s Hajj.

The country on Aug. 25 completed online booking of all tickets in the government Hajj scheme, the first time the whole quota has been filled through a digital reservation system.

The ministry of religious affairs said in a statement on Friday that the applications of pilgrims for next year’s Hajj will be cancelled if they did not pay by the deadline.

“The dates for depositing the second installment of dues for Hajj pilgrims under the government scheme have been fixed from 5 October to 20 October, 2026,” the ministry said.

“If the second installment is not deposited within the deadline, then the Ministry said the pilgrim’s application will be cancelled and the amount deposited earlier will be refunded to the pilgrim’s account,” the Ministry said.

Under the government arrangement, pilgrims can pay the second payment of Hajj dues through the ‘Pak Hajj App’ or digital Hajj site within the stipulated deadline.

The government said that submitting the Hajj medical fitness certificate on the ‘Pak Hajj’ app or the digital Hajj portal was essential before depositing the second installment.

This year the government announced that pilgrims will pay Rs1.2 million ($4,334) for a 40-day Hajj package and Rs1.3 million ($4,695) for a shorter, 20- to 25-day package under the government system.

The first installment of dues for seats under the shorter government package was paid within 24 hours of the process starting on Aug 18 and the rest of the seats under the plan were booked by Aug 25.

Business

Petrol price goes up by Rs2.10, diesel by 30 paisa a liter:

Published

1 day ago

October 3, 2026

Bilal

– Petrol and diesel prices have been increased once again under the latest fuel-price revision.

The revised prices will take effect from October 3, 2026.

According to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division, the price of petrol has been increased by Rs2.10 per litre. Following the latest increase, petrol will now cost Rs392.76 per litre.

The price of high-speed diesel has also been raised by 30 paisa per litre, taking its new rate to Rs399.64 per litre.

The Petroleum Division said the announced rates are linked to movements in international petrol and diesel prices.

According to the notification, changes in the global market, Platts rates, premiums and other associated costs were taken into account when determining the revised prices.