By Commerce Reporter
LAHORE: Pioneer Businessman Group Chairman and former Senior Vice President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Ali Hussam Asghar, has urged the Punjab Environment Department to revisit its enforcement strategy and adopt a more balanced, business-friendly approach toward industrial compliance.
Expressing serious concern over the recent sealing of industrial units in various parts of Lahore, Ali Hussam Asghar said that while environmental protection is a shared responsibility and an important national objective, the current practice of sealing factories without prior notice, consultation, or a reasonable compliance period is creating uncertainty and hardship for businesses already operating under difficult economic conditions.
He said that Pakistan’s industrial sector is facing unprecedented challenges, including rising production costs, soaring energy tariffs, inflationary pressures, and a generally challenging business environment. In such circumstances, abrupt factory closures are adding to the burden of industrialists and undermining efforts aimed at economic recovery and industrial growth.
Ali Hussam Asghar noted that industries are not opposed to environmental regulations and are willing to comply with all legal requirements. However, he stressed that compliance should be encouraged through dialogue, guidance, and practical timelines rather than punitive measures that halt production and disrupt business operations.
“Sealing factories without first giving businesses an opportunity to rectify shortcomings is neither practical nor beneficial for the economy,” he said. “Such actions interrupt production processes, delay export consignments, damage long-standing relationships with international buyers, and jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands of workers and their families.”
The former LCCI office-bearer emphasized that relocating industrial units is not a realistic solution for most businesses. He said industrial enterprises have invested heavily in land, infrastructure, machinery, utility connections, and workforce development over many years. Moreover, skilled labor is often concentrated around industrial clusters, and shifting operations elsewhere can result in the loss of experienced workers, reduced productivity, and substantially higher operational costs.
Ali Hussam Asghar warned that continued uncertainty and strict enforcement without adequate consultation could discourage future investment and weaken confidence in the industrial sector at a time when Pakistan needs greater industrial activity, export growth, and job creation.
He called upon the Environment Department and relevant government authorities to adopt a collaborative and solution-oriented framework. Under such a framework, factories should first be issued notices highlighting deficiencies, provided with clear compliance guidelines, and granted sufficient time to implement corrective measures before any enforcement action is taken.
According to him, regular engagement between government departments and industry representatives can help achieve environmental objectives without disrupting economic activity. He added that industries and regulators should work together as partners in sustainable development rather than as opposing sides.
Ali Hussam Asghar reiterated that environmental protection and industrial growth are not mutually exclusive goals. With effective coordination, both objectives can be achieved simultaneously, ensuring cleaner production practices while safeguarding employment, exports, and investment.
He urged policymakers to focus on facilitating industries, encouraging business expansion, and strengthening Pakistan’s manufacturing base. “Our collective goal should be to support industries that are already struggling under economic pressures, not to create additional obstacles that hinder production, investment, and growth,” he said.
He expressed hope that the authorities would review their current approach and introduce policies that promote compliance through cooperation, helping create a healthier environment alongside a stronger and more competitive industrial sector.
