PISD has been initiated in response to some major challenges being faced by the Pakistani manufacturing industry.

1. Businesses are globally responding to consumer preferences for ecologically friendly production. The future of industry everywhere depends on how it competes and complies with the existing accredited environmental standards and buyers’ demands. The answer, world over, is Cleaner Production.

2. Environment related economic loss accounts for an estimated 3-4% of GDP. Discharge of untreated liquid effluent – only 1% being currently treated - is one of the major industry related environmental issues. Rigorous wastewater treatment is required to curtail potential market share losses of the Pakistani industry and to comply with NEQS.

3. Implementation of Environmental Management System (EMS) and ISO 14001 certification is not only a requirement of international markets, but has also proved to bring in many higher order productivity and growth benefits.

4. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become an imperative image building tool to progressive businesses through out the world.

A variety of multi-faceted benefits are expected from the implementation of the programme. The listed benefits are based on established credentials and implementation experience of more than eleven years.

1.Implementation of cleaner production, energy efficient technologies and environmental management system in 265 industrial units.

2. Increased awareness about environmental and energy issues amongst at least 1500 industrial personnel.

3. Increased competitiveness and market image of 4 major industrial sectors of Pakistan through resource conservation, environmental compliance, pollution control etc.

4. Effective institutional coordination between industrial associations and Government agencies for dovetailing environmental issues into national industrial policies.

5. Improved work force productivity through better occupational health and safety conditions.

6. Improved relations and links of the industry with R&D institutions, certification and legal bodies, vendors and other stakeholders.