SIALKOT, May 10: A minor boy died on Tuesday in Tayyub Bhatta village of Pasrur tehsil as epidemic of cholera broke out in the area. Adeel, 4, his sister Misbah, 7, and mother Safia were admitted to the Pasrur THQ Hospital where the boy died. The condition of Misbah and Safia was stated to be critical.

It is learnt that several other people have also been admitted to the hospital with cholera.

Tehsil Nazim Maqsood Sulehria visited the hospital and inquired after the patients.

Meanwhile, a district health department spokesman told journalists that people have been vaccinated against cholera. He claimed that the situation was under control.

Grant demanded: The Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has demanded Rs930 million grant from Export Development Fund (EDF) to set up a display centre here.

SCCI vice-president Shafiqur Rehman told journalists on Tuesday the prime minister had been requested to take interest in resolving the problems of exporters.

The display centre, to be built on a three-kanal plot adjacent the SCCI building, would provide space to the exporters to exhibit their products.

Mr Rehman sought the chief minister’s help for early release of provincial government’s promised share of Rs230 million under the city development package initiated by the SCCI.

He thanked the chief minister for releasing Rs870 million grant for the upgrading the 26-kilometre-long Sialkot-Sambrial-Wazirabad road as a dual carriageway.

The road leads to dryport, airport and Export Processing Zone (EPZ).

He said the business community has completed several uplift projects at a cost of Rs190 million in the city on self-help basis.

The SCCI vice-president demanded simplification of tax system to facilitate tax payers.