Punjab has 1.2b tonne iron ore: CM

PUNJAB Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high meeting at the Chief Minister's Secretariat here on Thursday to review implementation of the roadmap for the exploration of iron ore reserves.



The chief minister said that there were an estimated 1.2 billion tonnes of iron ore reserves in different areas of Punjab which included Kalabagh, Chiniot, Rajwa and DG Khan. He said that revenue of billion of rupees could be earned by converting iron ore into steel. He said that economic activities could be boosted and steel industry could be strengthened by utilising iron ore which would improve economy of the country. He said the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade had been directed to design a roadmap so that iron ore reserves could be identified in different areas. He said that one million jobs could be created by implementing the roadmap designed to utilise iron ore. He said that the services of foreign experts should be acquired in the search for iron ore reserves and its subsequent use. He expressed dissatisfaction over the steps taken by the departments concerned for exploring iron ore reserves and directed them to expedite work on the project and submit comprehensive recommendations to him within seven days. He said that all mines given on lease in the province should be re-visited and a comprehensive report should be presented in the next meeting.



Earlier, Secretary Commerce Fazal Abbas Mekan gave a briefing on the roadmap for exploring iron ore reserves. The experts also gave their suggestions about iron ore and its utilisation.



MPAs Engineer Raja Qamar-ul-Islam, Ijaz Shafi, Taskforce on Special Initiatives Chairman Haroon Khwaja, Planning and Development chairman, Secretaries of Mines, Industry and Trade, DG Mines, MD of PANJMIN, engineers of PCSIR laboratories and other experts attended the meeting.


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