Tanneries given six-month to shift business

The Punjab Environment department has given ultimatum to owners of tanneries in Multan and Sialkot to shift their businesses outside the cities within six months otherwise their cases would be sent to the Environment tribunal.
Multan district administration has allotted plots for tanneries in the Industrial estate. The department has decided to shift tanneries outside with a view to minimising pollution in the congested areas.
The environment department and local administration have finalised negotiations with owners to shift their tanneries outside the cities. In Multan there are 25 tanneries, which would be shifted to the Industrial Estate. The government has also decided to provide facilities to the owners for shifting their tanneries.