Industrial estate being built on 110 acres in Quaidabad

The Sargodha Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) is establishing an industrial estate on 110 acres in Quaidabad, with work progressing rapidly, its president Khawaja Yasir Qayyum announced on Tuesday. He was speaking at a meeting of the chamber during a visit by Punjab Mines and Minerals Department Secretary Pervez Iqbal, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).

Qayyum said the project was being developed through the chamber's efforts. The APP dispatch did not include the full text of his remarks, but noted that he described Quaidabad as having a role in Pakistan's industrial landscape. The report did not specify what industries would be housed at the estate, the amount of investment involved, or a completion timeline.

The presence of the provincial mines and minerals secretary at the meeting indicates coordination between the chamber and the Punjab government on industrial and mineral development in the region. Mines and minerals are a key sector for Punjab, and the secretary's participation suggests official interest in the project. However, neither the SCCI nor the secretary's office issued a separate statement about the visit or its outcomes.

Industrial estates are developed across Punjab by chambers of commerce and government agencies to provide infrastructure, utilities and a regulatory environment for businesses. The Sargodha region, known for agriculture and some industry, has sought to expand its industrial base. The proposed 110-acre estate at Quaidabad would add to the province's network of industrial zones if completed as planned.

The chamber has not released a map or a list of proposed units for the site, and the APP dispatch was the only source of Tuesday's announcement. The Sargodha Chamber of Commerce and Industry represents business interests in Sargodha and surrounding districts, and its president has previously spoken about the need for industrial infrastructure. The announcement appears to be an update on progress rather than a new launch.