Leather industry seeks slaughter houses, Kasur plant revival

LAHORE: Pakistan’s leather industry is facing a shortage of raw materials, with industry representatives urging the Punjab government to establish organised slaughterhouses and make the wastewater treatment plant in Kasur operational to address key challenges confronting the sector.

The issues were discussed during a meeting between Provincial Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, and a delegation of the Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA), led by its Chairman Malik Muhammad Azam, on Thursday.

The PTA chairman informed the minister that the shortage of raw materials was a major challenge for the leather industry and could be addressed through the establishment of organised slaughterhouses. The delegation also sought government cooperation to make the wastewater treatment plant in Kasur operational.

Speaking on the occasion, Chaudhry Shafay said the leather industry was one of the country’s major industrial sectors, with considerable potential to enhance exports. He assured the delegation that the industry’s problems would be addressed on a priority basis.

He stressed that ensuring a pollution-free environment for future generations was a shared responsibility, urging the industry to strictly comply with environmental protection standards and ensure the installation of wastewater treatment plants.

The minister also highlighted government financing facilities available to businesses, saying that interest-free loans of up to Rs30 million were being provided under the second phase of the Chief Minister’s Asaan Karobar Finance Scheme.

He added that the Industries, Commerce and Investment Department had launched a major programme to promote exports and accelerate industrial development, under which loans of up to Rs500 million were being offered on easy terms. Under the industrial development programme, businesses could also obtain interest-free loans of up to Rs100 million.

He urged the Association to benefit from the government’s interest-free and easy financing schemes, adding that applications could be submitted online through the Bank of Punjab’s website.

Chaudhry Shafay further proposed that the leather industry could enter into an agreement with the Skills Development Department to meet its requirements for skilled manpower.

Speaking on the occasion, Malik Muhammad Azam said the Pakistan Tanners Association planned to establish business centres in Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to strengthen trade links and explore new business opportunities.

The delegation included Chaudhry Tahir, Muhammad Aslam, Rana Adnan and others.

Director of Punjab Small Industries Corporation, Sabih Zaka, and other relevant officials were also present.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026