SIALKOT, Jan 20: The construction of the cargo terminal has been completed, while the work on passenger terminal is briskly underway as the Sialkot International Airport will be operational in June. This was stated by Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL) chairman Babar Iqbal while talking to journalists here on Friday.

He said the opening of airport would not only accelerate the pace of trade but also help enhance exports and generate employment opportunities.

He said the mega project was being fully financed by the private sector.

He said the airport would have the country’s longest runway, measuring 3.6 kilometres, having landing and take off facilities for Boeing 747 and other aircraft even in mist and fog.

The airport would cater to the needs of trading community of Sialkot, Gujrat and Gujranwala districts, he added.

The SIAL chairman said sufficient space has been reserved for national and international airlines’ offices, aircraft catering units, ground handling services, cargo warehouses, restaurants, vehicles’ parking, etc.

According to a rough estimate, 472,000 passengers would use the airport in a year while 24,000 tons of cargo would be handled. “This means that by the end of 2110, about 53,000 tons cargo would be airlifted from here,” he concluded.

Funds: The Punjab government has released a special grant of Rs200 million for the promotion of education in far off areas of Pasrur tehsil.

Punjab Minister for Labour and Human Resources Syed Akhtar Husain Rizvi told journalists here on Friday that the amount was released under the provincial government’s plan to reform the education sector.

Under this programme, the Government Girls High School, Sabz Kot, and the Government Girls High School, Bajra Garhi, have been upgraded to the higher secondary level.