LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched the Pink Salt Value Addition Financing Scheme, offering interest-free financing to businesses seeking to process, package and market Pakistan’s pink salt products for international markets.
The scheme has an allocation of Rs5 billion, with individual businesses eligible for financing of up to Rs50 million. The Punjab government will bear around Rs1.456 billion in interest costs under the programme. The chief minister distributed cheques to 10 businesspersons who secured financing under the scheme.
The initiative is linked to the development of a 110-acre Pink Salt Mineral Processing Zone in Quaidabad, which is planned to accommodate around 200 value-addition units and create more than 10,000 employment opportunities.
A model retail outlet has also been established to support pink salt branding, packaging, marketing and processing. Officials said value addition and improved branding could increase annual pink salt exports by up to $300 million. This figure is an official estimate rather than a realised export increase.
Maryam Nawaz stressed the need for Pakistan to export branded and processed pink salt instead of relying mainly on exports of raw material. She described pink salt as a national mineral asset and called for greater development of value-added products for international markets.
She also said the scheme would support young entrepreneurs and startups and help businesses gain access to global markets.
The Punjab government has previously identified value addition in pink rock salt as a priority, with the Mines and Minerals Department highlighting the need to expand local processing and retain more economic value within Pakistan.
The chief minister also alleged that some past contracts had benefited political individuals and caused losses to the national exchequer. The allegation was made during her remarks and was not accompanied in the reported briefing by specific details or evidence.
Separately, European Parliament Member Mary Fatima Khan Holch met Maryam Nawaz and discussed agriculture, information technology, technology and trade-related matters. The Punjab chief minister said the European Union was Pakistan’s second-largest trading partner.
The pink salt initiative places greater emphasis on domestic processing, branding and manufacturing, with the stated aim of creating employment and increasing the value retained from Pakistan’s mineral resources.
