April 09, 2007	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 20, 1428

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SIALKOT, April 8: Provincial and district governments have failed to select land for the establishment of the proposed Sialkot Tanneries Zone despite the passage of five years, Dawn reports.

The district government envisaged the project in 2002 and Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi released Rs90 million for the project. Under the project, all 264 tanneries located in and around the Sialkot city will be shifted to the proposed zone to curb environmental and industrial pollution caused by tanneries.

Punjab Minister for Environment Dr Anjum Amjad and Minister for Industries Muhammad Ajmal Cheema reviewed the project at the District Council building on Saturday (April 7) and directed the officials to select and acquire land for the project after consulting all the stakeholders and officials of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and Tanners’ Association.

Punjab Environment Director General Kamran Khan, Sialkot District Nazim Muhammad Akmal Cheema and District Coordination Officer (DCO) Maj (Retd) Rizwan Ullah Baig also attended the meeting.

TRAINING: Dr Amjad said the Punjab government would train tanners in Kasur in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation to raise awareness about pollution created by tanneries.

The Punjab minister told reporters the Kasur city and its adjoining areas had been polluted due to tanneries.