LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that the government is implementing a comprehensive programme for the promotion of industries and all possible steps are being taken to encourage industrial sector. He said that maximum sites should be identified to set up industrial estates in the province. He said that state land should be identified in Rahim Yar Khan to set up an industrial estate. He said that Sundar Industrial Estate should be a role model for other industrial estates and offices of concerned departments should be established there for the provision of all necessary facilities through one window operation. He was addressing a board meeting of Punjab Industrial Estates Development and Management Company (PIE-DMC). MPA Arifa Khalid, Chairman Punjab Industrial Estates (PIE) S M Tanvir, Chairman Department for Special Initiatives, Haroon Khawaja, Secretary Industries, Member Board of Revenue, Chairman TEVTA, concerned officers and board members were present. Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that promotion of industries is one of the top priorities of the government and solid steps are being taken for this purpose. He said that promotion of industrial sector will generate employment opportunities and strengthen economy. He said that Punjab Industrial Estates has taken effective measures for the promotion of industries and services of its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are commendable in this regard. He said that there is need for marching forward speedily for the promotion of industries in the province and he wants better results in the next board meeting of PIEDMC. He said that TEVTA should take prompt steps for setting up vocational institutes in Sundar Industrial Estate to produce skilled workforce to meet industrial needs. He said that Pakistan is facing shortage of energy which is lifeline for industrial sector. He said that attention should be paid to generate electricity from alternative sources and proposals should be formulated in this regard. He said that private sector should be encouraged to invest in energy sector. He said that establishment of maximum industrial estates for the promotion of industrial sector is the need of the hour and PIE should complete the process of identification of sites and present a report and in the light of the report a plan will be evolved to set up new industrial estates. He said that establishment of industrial estate in Rahim Yar Khan will produce far-reaching results as the district has airport facility near Bahawalpur and Cholistan. He said that a modern slaughter house can be set up there and meat and other dairy products could be exported to Gulf states. He said that the government is taking effective steps for improving livestock sector and five dairy farms have been set up in Cholistan. He said that in view of limited financial resources, state land should be searched for setting up industrial estate in Rahim Yar Khan and Member Board of Revenue should visit the district for this purpose. The Chief Minister said that Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC) is a dead horse and a plan should be evolved to make it a vibrant institution. He said that Lahore-Kasur Road has been completed and sites should be identified on either side of the road for setting up industrial estates. He said that private sector will be encouraged for the promotion of industries. He directed Secretary Industries to visit Sundar Industrial Estate twice a month until it is completed and take steps for its early completion and provision of facilities in consultation with concerned officials. He directed that the issue of Capital Value Tax on plots of Sundar Industrial Estate be resolved immediately. Earlier, PIE Chairman SM Tanvir and CEO Maj Gen (R) Tariq Javed, while giving a briefing, said that a branch of Bank of Punjab has been set up in Sundar Industrial Estate and austerity has been adopted. They said that PIE head office has also been transferred to Sundar Industrial Estate and a site has been allocated for TEVTA vocational institute. They said that repossessed plots have been sold in a transparent manner. They informed the meeting about establishment of different industrial estates in the province. Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated new building of Punjab Industrial Estate.