Over 81.79 percent industrial units still closed owing to lockdown

Over 81.79 percent industrial units located in different industrial estates in the province are still closed because of lockdown announced by the government to fight against the coronavirus.

However, the federal government has allowed the export-oriented industries to resume production activities under strict safety measures. The Punjab industries, commerce, investment & skills development department has also exempted the production activities in different sectors including textile, garments, leather and leather garments, auto parts, sports goods, surgical and medical instruments, pharmaceutical, fruits and vegetables, meat and meat products from restriction imposed vide order of S-144 of Cr.P.C. on March 23, 2020.

The department issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for ensuring all precautionary measures against Covid-19 to maintain supply chain with essential staff, sources told Business Recorder.

As many as 1,466 industrial units being managed by Punjab Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (PIEDMC) are located in six industrial estates including Sundar Industrial Estate, Lahore, Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Estate, Township, Lahore, Multan Industrial Estate Phase-1, Multan Industrial Estate Phase-II, Rahim Yar Khan Industrial Estate and Bhalwal Industrial Estate. Out of these, 267 have resumed their operation.

A total number of 515 industrial units are established in Sundar Industrial Estate, Lahore, out of which 118 are in operation whereas there are 595 industries are located in Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Estate, Township, Lahore, out of which 46 are operational.

Similarly, out of the total 235 industries established in Multan Industrial Estate Pahse-1, 61 are engaged in production activity whereas 27 industrial units out of 116 set up in Multan Industrial Estate Phase-II are in operation. In Rahim Yar Khan, Industrial Estate, there are total two industrial units which are in operation. On the contrary, there were three industrial units in Bhalwal Industrial Estate which are still closed.