FAISALABAD, Mar 02 (APP):The District Industrial Relocation Committee (DIRC), constituted by Divisional Commissioner Faisalabad Raja Jahangir Anwar in line with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to shift potentially hazardous industries outside municipal limits, on Monday reviewed the identification and phased relocation of 187 dangerous industrial units to ensure environmental protection and public safety.
DIRC Convener and Director General (DG) Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) Muhammad Asif Chaudhry chaired DIRC meeting and the committee members examined matters relating to the identification of industries posing threats to human life and property, their evacuation from urban areas, allocation of suitable relocation sites and provision of basic infrastructure so that comprehensive recommendations could be finalized and submitted to the Divisional Commissioner Faisalabad.
The participants included Additional Commissioner Coordination Tanveer Murtaza, former President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dr. Khurram Tariq, DO Industries Mian Irfan, General Manager Technical FIEDMC Colonel (R) Adil Nazir Malik, Deputy Director Environment Usman Azhar, Regional Director Punjab Small Industries Corporation Kashif Nawaz, Municipal Officer (Planning) Shireen Newton, Assistant Director Labour Yasir Arafat, Inspector Environment Mazhar Fareed, WASA representative Usman Zia and other committee members.
The meeting was informed that during a comprehensive survey conducted across the city, 187 industrial units of various categories were identified as potential sources of risk and recommended for relocation outside municipal boundaries on a priority basis.
The committee also gathered information regarding the availability of government land in Tehsil Jaranwala and Sadar areas for the establishment of a dedicated industrial estate to accommodate the relocated units.
The officials briefed the meeting that industries posing potential threats to human life, property and the environment include units operating heavy boilers, chemical manufacturing plants, industries producing hazardous waste, facilities generating excessive noise and toxic emissions, as well as factories handling inflammable and sensitive materials. These industrial activities could lead to environmental degradation and serious safety hazards if continued within densely populated urban neighborhoods, they added.
Welcoming the participants, DG FDA Muhammad Asif Chaudhry said that the relocation plan holds significant importance for maintaining a safe, clean and environmentally sustainable urban environment.
He emphasized the need for a solid departmental strategy and coordinated efforts among all stakeholders to formulate practical and implementable recommendations.
He said that voluntary compliance by industrial units would be encouraged through effective planning, provision of essential facilities at the new sites and transparent procedures to ensure smooth implementation of the project.
He said that all survey data and relevant information would be consolidated and comprehensive recommendations would soon be submitted to the Divisional Commissioner Faisalabad for further action.
During meeting, the officers from various departments shared their departmental proposals and technical input regarding the relocation process, infrastructure requirements and regulatory mechanisms.
Former FCCI President Dr. Khurram Tariq highlighted certain challenges faced by industrialists in shifting operations, including financial constraints, infrastructure needs and transitional arrangements, and stressed the importance of facilitating the business community to ensure smooth relocation without disrupting economic activity.
The committee resolved to move forward with a coordinated framework to safeguard public health, minimize environmental risks and ensure planned industrial development outside urban settlements in accordance with the provincial government’s policy objectives.