SIALKOT: The Lahore-Sialkot Motorway to be built in two years will open new vistas of socio-economic and human development in Sialkot region, especially in the “golden export triangle” comprising Sialkot, Gujrat and Gujranwala districts.

Federal Minister for Defence, Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif said this while holding an open court at PML-N House here on Sunday.

He said the region’s remote and rural areas had been linked to the 90-kilometre long motorway starting from Sahowala-Sambrial and ending at Kala Shah Kaku via Daska, Gujranwala and Kamonki.

The Rs45 billion project would be executed on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis, he said.

The construction work on the project would begin next month, he added.

The minister said the project had a great commercial viability, which would be expanded to Kharian from Sambrial in its second phase.

He said the National Highway Authority (NHA) had shortlisted only two companies -- FWO and a foreign firm -- for executing the project.

Earlier, holding the open court, the minister listened to the public problems and issued orders on various applications for providing early relief to the complainants.

MPAs Chaudhry Muhammad Ikram, Mansha Ullah Butt and local PML-N leaders were also present.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2015

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