A new airport in Pakistan s industrial city of Sialkot will be inaugurated on December 18, officials said. The mega project was initiated by Sialkot business community on self-help basis. The city is the biggest centre of production of sports goods and surgical instruments. Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL) Chief Executive Khawar Anwar Khawaja says the construction of the airport was near completion. He said that cargo flights and domestic passenger flights were expected to commence in December from the airport, whereas the international passenger flights had been planned by the end of 2007. Khawaja said that the airport would help double Sialkot exports from existing $1 billion, besides opening new vistas of socio-economic and human development in Pakistan's first ever golden export triangle comprising Sialkot, Gujrat and Gujranwala districts. Export triangle is internationally known for producing and exporting sport goods, gloves, leather goods, surgical and musical instruments, sport wears, cutlery, ceramics and leather garments. At present, the air cargo of the area is sent to Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi airports through Sialkot Dry Port. Khawaja said that the airport, a unique project in private sector, might be the first of its kind in south Asia, was being speedily constructed in an investment-friendly atmosphere, incorporating the best airport facilities meeting the international standard.
