SIALKOT: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi inaugurated on Monday a terminal at the Sialkot International Airport Ltd (SIAL), which has been built by the city’s exporters on a self-help basis at a cost of Rs1.12 billion.

Addressing senior management of SIAL, Mr Abbasi hailed the Sialkot-based exporters for their initiative.

He assured the exporters of his full cooperation for the resolution of their problems. He said an international airport of this kind might also be established in Faisalabad by the local business community.

He said the government encourages the private sector to set up private airports. “Everyone must follow Sialkot-based exporters to ensure socio-economic and human development in Pakistan,” he said.

He added that the PML-N government has successfully completed the Nandipur Power Project, which is now producing 425 megawatts of electricity.

He said the present government has established different power projects that will produce 10,000MW. “After the completion of different power projects, the government has now focused on reducing the cost of electricity production,” he said.

Mr Abbasi said there will soon be a reduction in electricity and gas prices. The premier vowed to provide people with cheaper electricity and gas, saying the energy crisis is over.

Mr Abbasi said construction work is under way on various development projects worth Rs200bn in and around Sialkot. He said these projects, including Rs91.4bn Sialkot-Lahore Motorway, will change the destiny of the entire region.

Speaking on the occasion, SIAL Chairman Khawar Anwar Khawaja said the new building of the airport’s international terminal will provide improved aviation facilities to people.

Mr Abbasi also reviewed progress in the construction of the Sialkot-Lahore Motorway. The 91.4-kilometre-long motorway will cost Rs43.84bn. It will be built in four phases, with the first two phases completing in April and August.

The construction of several link roads leading to the Sialkot-Lahore Motorway was also under way.

Later, addressing a meeting at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the prime minister stressed the need for increasing national exports.

Mr Abbasi also addressed a convention of party workers at the residence of Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2018