The Punjab government has decided to transfer brick kilns to zigzag technology and provision of loans in the shape of matching grant.
Provincial Industries and Trade Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal chaired a meeting in this regard which decided to grant loans to the brick kiln owners at 2 percent service charges which will be returned in 2 years period.
It was also decided that 700 brick kilns which were earlier transferred to zigzag technology will be given preference to grant loan facility.
Managing Director Punjab Small Industries Corporation Mudassar Malik, Director General Environment Protection Department Asher Zaidi, President Brick Kilns Association of Pakistan Muhammad Shoaib Niazi, General Secretary Mehar Abdul Haq, President Lahore Division Rana Subhan and other office-bearers attended the meeting.
The Minister while addressing the participants maintained that clean and green Pakistan is the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan and it is foremost priority of the PTI government to provide pollution-free environment to the new generation. He added that we are utilizing all possible resources to attain this objective.
He highlighted the zigzag technology will help in overcoming the problem of environmental pollution and production capacity of brick kilns will also be enhanced.
He stated that labour will also be benefited and the process of provision of loans will also be initiated after finalizing the mechanism of transferring the brick kilns to the latest technology.
The Minister emphasized that the Punjab government is serious to overcome and eradicate the hazards of environmental pollution. He urged the officials and the concerned to complete the target speedily regarding transferring this project to zigzag technology.
President Brick Kilns Association Muhammad Shoaib Niazi remarked that with due cooperation of the government, all brick can be transferred to zigzag technology within a span of one year.
Originally published at Business recorder