LAHORE: Punjab is abundant with huge minerals which could change the faith of the country and the provincial government is working day and night to develop these resources for economic boost of the country.
This was stated by the Provincial Minister for Mines & Minerals Ch. Sher Ali while addressing a seminar on “Development & Promotion of Mineral Sector in Punjab” here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The seminar, which was organized by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry in collaboration with Punjab Mineral Development Corporation, also addressed by the LCCI Vice President Nasir Saeed, Chairman Punjab Mineral Development Corporation Mian Nauman Kabir, Secretary Mining & Minerals, Dr. Arshad Mahmood, Chairman TEVTA Irfan Qaiser Sheikh, former LCCI Presidents Mian Anjum Nisar, Sohail Lashari, former Vice Presidents Syed Mahmood Ghaznavi, Abuzar Shad, Principal Earth College, Punjab University Dr. Sajid Rasheed, renowned geologist Professor Dr. M. Nawaz and experts from mines and mineral sectors.
Provincial Minister said that Punjab has largest reserves of coal, limestone, rock salt, iron and copper ore and various other minerals which are being used for industrial production. He said that Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif is focusing on infrastructural development in mining sector to attract much-needed foreign investment. He said that basic objective of restructuring mines and mineral sectors is to give it latest technology. He said that only skilled human resources can maximize output therefore Punjab government is taking a lot of measures in this regard. He said that concrete measures are being taken for the protection of mineworkers.
Chairman Punjab Mineral Development Corporation Mian Nauman Kabir said that as per vision of the Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif, round the clock work is being done for making Punjab Mineral Development Corporation a vibrant institution and concept of public private partnership is being promoted. He said that PUNJMIN has planned to multiply production of minerals. He said that PUNJMIN has also collected the data regarding natural resources and mines. He said that Punjab province has a lot of potential in natural resources and there are a lot of opportunities for the local and foreign investors.
The LCCI Vice President Nasir Saeed said that Lahore Chamber has always tried to play a pivotal role in the development of Mining and Minerals in the country. In fact, LCCI has active standing committees who are working for the benefit of different sectors like Iron & steel, Marble, Coal and Alternate Fuels and Mining and Minerals.
