Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched the Pink Salt Value Addition Financing Scheme to strengthen the province’s mining sector, create jobs, and increase exports. Along with the new scheme, she also announced the establishment of a 110-acre Pink Salt Mineral Processing Zone near Quaidabad.
The initiative aims to improve the processing and export of Pink Salt while encouraging local and foreign investment. The government believes the project will help increase the value of Pakistan’s mineral resources before they are exported to international markets.
During a briefing at the launch ceremony, officials shared details of the proposed processing zone. They said the facility will accommodate more than 200 industrial units dedicated to pink salt processing and related industries. The project is expected to attract around $150 million in investment.
Officials added that the processing zone could create direct employment opportunities for nearly 10,000 people. To support investors, the government also plans to establish a Business Facilitation Centre and a model retail outlet within the project area.
Under the financing scheme, new investors will be eligible for interest-free loans ranging from Rs5 million to Rs50 million. These funds can be used for processing, grinding, refining, cleaning, packaging, and other value-added activities related to Pink Salt. The repayment period for these loans has been fixed at five years.
According to officials, value addition in the pink salt industry has the potential to generate up to $300 million in annual foreign exchange earnings. They believe processed and packaged products can earn significantly higher returns than the export of raw minerals.
The briefing also highlighted strong investor interest in the project. Officials said bids worth Rs471 million were received during the first phase. In the second phase, investment offers worth approximately Rs2.5 billion have already been submitted.
Authorities further noted that the digitisation of lease and licence auctions by the Mines and Minerals Department has improved transparency and significantly increased government revenue from the sector.
Speaking at the ceremony, Maryam Nawaz said the Chief Minister Pink Salt Value Addition Financing Scheme would open new economic opportunities for Punjab. She said the initiative would generate employment, increase exports, and strengthen government revenue.
The chief minister added that greater value addition would boost exports of processed, packaged, and decorative pink salt products. She also said these products would now proudly carry the label “Made in Pakistan” in international markets.
Maryam Nawaz described Pakistan’s natural resources as a national trust that must be protected responsibly. She said Punjab is home to some of the world’s finest pink salt reserves, known globally for their unique mineral composition and premium quality.
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The Punjab government believes the project will strengthen Pakistan’s position in the international mineral market while creating sustainable business opportunities for investors and improving employment prospects for thousands of people across the province.
