Islamabad: In a significant move towards environmental sustainability and industrial innovation, Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, chaired a high-level meeting with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) to discuss a groundbreaking project. The initiative seeks to convert banana plant waste into textile material, aligning with the government’s vision for eco-friendly industrial practices.

The project, titled “Banana in Pakistan’s Bio-Economy: Transforming Waste into Textile,” aims to address environmental concerns while bolstering the textile industry. Mr. Khan emphasized its importance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly in Sindh and other provinces, as it promises to reduce pollution and promote sustainable practices.

Pakistan currently discards or burns approximately 35,000 tonnes of banana plant waste annually, contributing to environmental degradation and health issues. By repurposing this waste into textile products, the country can mitigate pollution and engage in global textile and fashion industry partnerships.

Mr. Khan provided firm directives for the project’s swift implementation, highlighting its potential to benefit the SME sector substantially. He linked the initiative to the Prime Minister’s “Uraan” initiative, which aims to revive industries with a focus on sustainability.

In his commitment to integrity and performance, Mr. Khan declared a zero-tolerance policy towards inefficiency and corruption within the project. He stressed the need for tangible results, warning that any lapses in performance would be met with strict accountability measures.