28 September 2004	Tuesday	12 Shaban 1425

LAHORE, Sept 27: Cargo flights will start from Sialkot International Airport in March-April next year and passenger flights by December.

Sialkot International Airport Limited Chief Executive said this while speaking at the signing ceremony of the formal licence agreement for the establishment of aviation, consumer and retail facilities at the airport with the Pakistan State Oil here on Monday.

Punjab Industries, Commerce and Investment Minister Ajmal Cheema also attended the ceremony. He said Sialkot Airport was a unique achievement of the private sector. As many as 215 exporters of Sialkot had contributed for its development at a cost of Rs2 billion.

He said the exporters of Sialkot expected to recover their investment within a year of the airport becoming operational. Cargo would leave Sialkot Airport within 24 to 48 hours of arrival.

Airport Chairman Mian Mohammad Riaz, PSO Managing Director Tariq Kirmani and General Manager Zahid Hasan also spoke on the occasion.