Faisalabad Division

Faisalabad : ReNews Pakistan
More than half of Faisalabad’s urban industrial units have been classified as posing a very high environmental risk, prompting the district administration to intensify inspections and initiate action against industries operating in or near residential neighbourhoods.
The findings emerged from a comprehensive multi-dimensional survey conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the government’s broader plan to identify environmentally hazardous industries and relocate high-risk units from densely populated areas to designated industrial zones.
According to the survey, major environmental and public safety risks associated with industrial activity in the city include emissions from boilers, untreated industrial wastewater, hazardous chemical use and the close proximity of factories to residential communities.
The report identified 782 industrial units operating across 105 union councils of Faisalabad, collectively employing approximately 43,612 workers, highlighting both the economic significance of the sector and the scale of the challenge facing authorities seeking to address environmental and land-use violations.
Of the industrial units surveyed, 568 are located within 0.5 kilometres of residential areas, while 441 units are situated inside or immediately adjacent to populated neighbourhoods, exposing nearby communities to potential air pollution, wastewater contamination and industrial safety hazards.
Regulatory compliance also emerged as a major concern. The survey found that 734 industrial units were operating without obtaining a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the EPA, raising questions over environmental oversight and enforcement within the city's rapidly expanding industrial landscape.
Authorities also identified 70 industrial units operating without mandatory environmental approvals or chemical licences and in violation of applicable land-use regulations. The survey recommended that these units should not be regularised because of the potential environmental and public health risks associated with their operations.
Following the findings, the Industry Relocation Committee, chaired by Faisalabad Commissioner Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh, decided to begin enforcement proceedings against industrial units operating in residential areas where their activities could endanger workers and surrounding communities.
Joint inspection teams comprising officials from the Environmental Protection Agency, Labour Department and Municipal Corporation have been constituted to inspect all 441 industrial units identified within urban residential areas.
The teams will examine whether the industries possess the required environmental approvals and labour registrations, whether their buildings have approved plans, and whether boilers and pressure vessels comply with prescribed capacity, operational and safety standards.
Initial notices will be issued to units where violations are identified, paving the way for further regulatory or enforcement action depending on the nature and severity of non-compliance.
Commissioner Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh said industries operating without the necessary approvals would not be permitted to continue functioning within city limits. He stressed that protecting industrial workers and residents living around factories would remain a priority for the administration.
The crackdown forms part of a broader effort to reorganise Faisalabad’s industrial footprint by gradually shifting hazardous and incompatible industrial activities away from residential communities and into properly planned industrial zones.
The Industry Relocation Committee also reviewed progress on identifying suitable locations and facilitating the relocation of industries currently operating in residential areas.
The initiative could have significant implications for Faisalabad’s urban planning and real estate landscape. Moving industrial operations out of residential neighbourhoods would not only reduce environmental and safety risks but could also open affected areas for more compatible residential, commercial and mixed-use development, subject to applicable land-use regulations.
As one of Pakistan’s largest industrial centres, Faisalabad faces the challenge of balancing industrial growth and employment with environmental protection, public health and sustainable urban development. The latest survey provides authorities with a detailed framework for determining which industrial units can meet regulatory requirements and which may ultimately have to relocate outside densely populated parts of the city.

Faisalabad | ReNews Pakistan
Two Chinese shareholders of Masood Textile Mills Limited have agreed to sell a combined 18.31 percent stake in the company to UAE based Velora Global Ventures F.Z.C. through separate share purchase agreements.
According to a disclosure submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange, Shanghai Challenge Textile Company Limited will sell a 7 percent stake in Masood Textile Mills, while Zhejiang Xinao Industry Company Limited will divest its entire 11.31 percent shareholding.
The acquisition will be completed through phased quarterly transactions over approximately three years. Completion of the deal will remain subject to approval from the Competition Commission of Pakistan and other applicable legal and regulatory authorities.
Shanghai Challenge Textile currently owns 17,396,833 ordinary shares in Masood Textile Mills, representing approximately 25.77 percent of the company’s issued and paid-up share capital. It will transfer the proposed 7 percent stake through 11 equal quarterly instalments.
Zhejiang Xinao Industry holds 7,636,550 ordinary shares, representing an 11.31 percent stake in Masood Textile Mills. The company will dispose of its entire shareholding through 10 equal quarterly instalments.
Velora Global Ventures said it would acquire the shares through separate agreements with the two Chinese companies. The UAE based firm also plans to submit a pre-merger application to the Competition Commission of Pakistan before completing the transaction.
Both Chinese shareholders said their notifications were intended only to inform Masood Textile Mills about the proposed transactions. They clarified that the sale of shares did not require the approval or consent of Masood Textile Mills.
Shanghai Challenge Textile was established in 2001 and is headquartered in Shanghai. It manufactures functional fabrics, sportswear materials, ready-made garments and medical protective products for international brands.
Zhejiang Xinao Industry is part of China’s Xinao Group and specialises in the production of worsted wool, cashmere and blended yarns.
Velora Global Ventures is a UAE registered company based in the Ajman Free Zone. However, publicly available information regarding its ownership and wider business activities remains limited.
Masood Textile Mills was incorporated in 1984 and has been listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange since 1988. The company manufactures cotton and synthetic fibre yarn, knitted and dyed fabrics, and garments.

Faisalabad | ReNews Pakistan
J.K. Spinning Mills Limited has completed the addition of eight megawatts of solar power generation capacity as part of its strategy to reduce energy costs, improve efficiency and strengthen the long term sustainability of its manufacturing operations.
In a material information disclosure submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange, the company said the additional solar capacity would help meet its energy requirements while reducing environmental pollution. The disclosure was issued under Section 96 of the Securities Act 2015 and the relevant Pakistan Stock Exchange regulations.
The company said the strategic investment would enhance energy efficiency, generate significant cost savings and improve the long term operational sustainability of its business. The expansion forms part of its broader commitment to increasing reliance on clean and renewable energy.
J.K. Spinning Mills said it aims to reduce its carbon footprint, promote environmentally responsible operations and contribute to a more sustainable future while creating long term value for its stakeholders. The additional solar capacity is expected to reduce the company’s exposure to electricity supplied through conventional and comparatively expensive energy sources.
Textile manufacturing requires a continuous supply of electricity across spinning, weaving, processing and stitching operations. Fluctuations in energy prices and interruptions in power supply can affect production costs, export competitiveness and the timely completion of customer orders.
Against this background, expanding captive solar generation represents both an environmental initiative and a business measure intended to control operating expenses and reduce energy related risks.
In February 2026, the company’s board had approved a plan to install a 7.5 MW solar power system at an estimated cost of Rs442 million. At the time, J.K. Spinning Mills said the investment formed part of its longer term planning to lower electricity expenses and support environmentally sustainable practices.
The latest disclosure did not state the cost of the completed eight megawatt addition, its specific installation location or the company’s total solar generation capacity following the expansion. It confirmed, however, that the new capacity would be used to meet energy requirements and reduce the environmental impact of its operations.
J.K. Spinning Mills is a Pakistan Stock Exchange listed textile manufacturer engaged in the production and trading of yarn, fabrics and related textile products. Its integrated operations include spinning, weaving, processing and stitching activities. The company has previously identified renewable energy investment as an important component of its operational strategy.
The solar system will allow the manufacturer to produce a greater share of its electricity internally during daylight hours. This could reduce the amount of power purchased from the national grid, lower its average energy cost and limit the financial impact of future increases in electricity tariffs.

Energy expenditure is a major component of textile production costs. Reducing this expense can help a manufacturer manage product pricing, protect profit margins and remain competitive in domestic and international markets.

Greater reliance on solar energy will also support the company’s environmental objectives. Solar generation produces no direct carbon emissions during operation, allowing J.K. Spinning Mills to reduce the carbon intensity associated with its manufacturing activities.

The expansion may also improve operational resilience by diversifying the company’s energy mix. Although solar power cannot entirely replace grid or other captive generation sources, it can provide a predictable source of electricity during daylight production hours and reduce dependence on conventional fuels.

Pakistan’s textile manufacturers have increasingly invested in renewable energy as they seek to manage high electricity costs, improve supply reliability and respond to environmental requirements in international markets. The J.K. Spinning Mills project reflects this broader shift towards linking sustainability investments with measurable reductions in operating costs.

The company expects the eight megawatt addition to strengthen energy efficiency, support cost savings and provide greater stability to its manufacturing operations over the long term.

According to the PSX disclosure, the investment is ultimately intended to expand the use of clean energy while generating sustainable, long term value for shareholders and other stakeholders.