Faisalabad Division

Faisalabad | ReNews Pakistan
China’s Dongjin Group is set to establish a $15 million lithium and dry battery manufacturing facility in Allama Iqbal Industrial City, Faisalabad, marking another important step toward strengthening Pakistan’s emerging battery manufacturing sector.
The planned facility will be developed in the Special Economic Zone near Faisalabad. The investment agreement has been signed with the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade, as Pakistan continues efforts to attract advanced manufacturing projects under investor friendly industrial policies.
The project is expected to help meet Pakistan’s rising demand for batteries, particularly as the country witnesses growing adoption of electric vehicles, solar power systems and renewable energy storage solutions. Officials believe local battery production can play a key role in reducing dependence on imports while supporting industrial growth.
Speaking about the investment, Sharqi Ali Tipu, Director of Marketing at the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade, said Dongjin Group decided to invest in Pakistan after observing strong market demand for batteries, especially in the electric vehicle and solar energy sectors.
He said the project is likely to generate significant economic and industrial activity across several connected sectors. These include electronics, automotive components, packaging, chemicals and engineering services. The facility is also expected to create employment opportunities in Faisalabad and nearby areas.
According to officials, the battery plant will also support the transfer of modern manufacturing technology to Pakistan’s local industry. This is considered important as the country moves toward building domestic capacity in high value industrial sectors.
Allama Iqbal Industrial City is one of Pakistan’s key Special Economic Zones developed under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor framework. The zone offers modern infrastructure, strategic connectivity and incentives aimed at attracting local and foreign investors.
Under Pakistan’s Special Economic Zone incentive package, Dongjin Group will be eligible for a 10-year income tax holiday. The company will also receive a one-time exemption from customs duties and taxes on the import of plant and machinery.
Officials from the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade said the board will continue to support the company throughout the investment process to ensure smooth implementation of the project.
Industry stakeholders believe the establishment of advanced battery manufacturing facilities is becoming increasingly important for Pakistan. They say the growth of electric vehicles, solar energy and energy storage systems has created a major opportunity for local manufacturing.
Former Chairman of the Engineering Development Board, Almas Hyder, said Pakistan is gradually moving toward the localization of lithium ion battery manufacturing. He said this shift can strengthen the country’s energy security and reduce reliance on imported battery products.
He also expressed hope that the recently introduced Battery Manufacturing Policy 2026–31 would encourage further domestic production and private-sector investment in the sector.
Hyder said batteries have become strategically important worldwide due to rising demand linked with renewable energy, electric vehicles and grid stability. He added that increased battery production in Pakistan could help reduce dependence on expensive electricity and imported fossil fuels.
The proposed Dongjin Group facility is being seen as an important investment for Pakistan’s industrial future, particularly at a time when the country is seeking to expand local manufacturing, promote clean energy solutions and attract technology based foreign investment.

Faisalabad | ReNews Pakistan
Practical work on the proposed Faisalabad Greenfield International Airport has officially commenced following a high level meeting held to review the project’s development framework and implementation strategy.
The initiative is being undertaken by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) in collaboration with internationally renowned aviation consultancy firm DAR Al-Handasah and its local partner OCL-Asian. The project aims to establish a modern, future-ready airport designed to meet growing aviation demands and align with international standards.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Director General of the PAA, Engr Sameer Saeed, and attended by key stakeholders, including President of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Farooq Yousuf Sheikh, Vice Chancellor of Women University Faisalabad Prof Dr Kanwal Amin, as well as representatives from the business community, Airport Security Force, customs, police, district administration, aviation sector, and media.
During the briefing, Engr Sameer Saeed described the Greenfield Airport as a landmark initiative for Faisalabad and the wider region, highlighting its potential to significantly contribute to the national economy. He revealed that the project would require approximately 2,000 to 2,500 acres of land and is being planned with a long-term vision to accommodate future growth in air travel.
He further noted that the project holds strong potential for execution under a public private partnership model, ensuring the development of world-class aviation infrastructure. The PAA, he said, is committed to delivering a comprehensive airport project supported by global expertise and modern planning standards.
Experts from DAR Al-Handasah presented an initial project framework, outlining a nine phase development plan. These phases include data collection, technical analysis, master planning, environmental and economic assessments, design development, evaluation, and the formulation of final recommendations.
The consultants underscored that sustainability, adherence to international benchmarks, and long-term operational efficiency would remain central to all stages of the project.
Participants at the meeting termed the project highly significant for Faisalabad’s industrial, commercial, and social landscape. They observed that the new airport is expected to enhance export capacity, attract both domestic and foreign investment, promote tourism, generate employment opportunities, and strengthen global connectivity.
Experts also described the Greenfield Airport as a potential game changer for Central Punjab, noting that it would not only serve Faisalabad but also provide modern air travel facilities to surrounding districts, thereby driving broader regional development.

Faisalabad: ReNews Pakistan
A long awaited plan to address chronic parking and traffic congestion in Faisalabad’s central business areas has entered the execution phase, as the divisional administration moves forward with the construction of five modern parking plazas worth Rs1 billion.
Chairing a high level meeting on Friday, Divisional Commissioner Musarrat Jabeen announced that work on the project would begin soon. She said the initiative aims to ease traffic pressure around the historic Clock Tower Faisalabad and its eight surrounding bazaars, which remain among the busiest commercial zones in Punjab.
The commissioner directed all relevant departments to ensure timely execution of the project in accordance with approved designs and deadlines. She emphasized that the development would not only resolve longstanding parking shortages but also contribute to better urban planning and smoother business operations in the city.
During the meeting, officials reviewed progress on the ongoing parking plaza at Chiniot Bazaar. The commissioner instructed authorities to address all pending issues on a priority basis to make the facility operational at the earliest.
Highlighting the importance of the project, she stated that Faisalabad’s Clock Tower area serves as the economic hub of the city, and improving its infrastructure is essential for enhancing commercial efficiency and public convenience. She added that the administration remains committed to introducing modern urban solutions to meet the demands of a rapidly growing metropolitan population.
A detailed briefing was given by representatives of NESPAK, who shared design features of the upcoming multi-storey plazas. The facilities will include efficient traffic flow systems and innovative use of rooftop spaces for commercial purposes.
According to officials, the new parking plazas will be constructed at key locations including Zail Ghar, Imam Bargah Road, Aminpur Bazaar, and Karkhana Bazaar, while additional arrangements are also under consideration for Chiniot Bazaar.
Once completed, the multi-level structures are expected to collectively accommodate more than 1,500 motorcycles and cars, significantly reducing roadside parking and easing congestion in the main business areas.
Senior officials, including Deputy Commissioner Captain (Retired) Nadeem Nasir, Director Development Asif Chaudhry, Chief Officer Municipal Corporation Murtaza Malik, and NESPAK engineers, were also present at the meeting.