Amazing news. Why don’t we construct more of these public-private airports? We can’t have them at Karachi and Lahore as they just got two new airports. I hope the government takes this idea into account while constructing the Gawadar airport.
We dont need more airports. With airlines not even flying into Islamabad these days why do we need new airports. What we need are schools and hospitals in the remote locations in the country. Not some goddamn expensive and useless airports.
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*Originally posted by CM: *
We dont need more airports. With airlines not even flying into Islamabad these days why do we need new airports. What we need are schools and hospitals in the remote locations in the country. Not some goddamn expensive and useless airports.
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While the importance of hospitals, and schools cannot be denied, I respectfully disagree that this airport will be useless. Just for s start, it will bring numerous employment opportunities for the people in the area, and provide a convinient way of travel for the Sialkotis.
Put it this way. The cost outweigh even the long term benefits dont they? If there is no way to recoup the costs in 10 years, the infrastructure development is worthless. Fix the existing infrastructure before building more elaborate and expensive structures.
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*Originally posted by CM: *
Put it this way. The cost outweigh even the long term benefits dont they? If there is no way to recoup the costs in 10 years, the infrastructure development is worthless. Fix the existing infrastructure before building more elaborate and expensive structures.
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But thats just an assumption. How do we know the benefits don't outweigh the costs? the article mentions that the sialkot business community has been demanding this for a long time now. So i am sure the costs will be recouped soon than later.
The business community demands alot. The priority should be over all benefit to society. A great many simple primary schools and hospitals can be created where the needs exists in the money spent on the airport.
In fact, I did a little bit of research and found the following info about the airport:
http://www.pakaviation.com/PVA/Aero_News/Item/Aviation_News_200301220.html
Basically, its the prerogrative of the private sector to develop this airport. Its not the govt. that is constructing it. So I am not sure if its reasonable to lambast the govt. for this project.
Furthermore, I found out the following which amply shows that the long terms benefits of the airport outweigh the costs:
http://www.clicksialkot.com/airport4.htm
I am sure more info. can be had from the SCCI. Lastly, its common sense that a private sector entity will not touch a project unless it thinks its profitable. So financially, atleast, I foresee this project to be a success. The social sector is the responsibility of the govt. and the only part that the govt. has played in this project is to provide a loan, and I don’t see any reason to criticise them for that. They were probably thinking of the future income from this project.
Ok again from a welfare analysis point of view. Which has more overall benefit for society? Schools and Hospitals or an Aiport? I have no qualms as it is not government expenditure. However i rather see the money spent educating our people, than flying in some rich industrialist.
what do sialkotis do for transportation currently? what is the nearest airport to them and how do they get there?
I would have thought that high speed trains could be a better solution because they can connect several cities to that network and as long as there are some cities closeby that have airports, the net benefit of a better train service may be higher..for people as well as frieght.
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*Originally posted by CM: *
Put it this way. The cost outweigh even the long term benefits dont they? If there is no way to recoup the costs in 10 years, the infrastructure development is worthless. Fix the existing infrastructure before building more elaborate and expensive structures.
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This airport will be a big help... You dont need to worry about the long term benefits, as the business community will play a major role in that. Big sharks like Saga, Zia, Symco, CA, etc will make sure this airport gets constructed. And please dont expect them to make schools and hospitals, itney achey nahee hain yeh log.
This is great indeed. All my relatives in Sialkot are in the sports manufacturing business, and have made so much money, and even in the last few years there business has grown alot, despite the overall business depression in Pakistan. However, alot of their export has been limited to UAE, Spain etc. They have always complained about not having an airport as a hurdle to their export business. Various products, such as the linings and gattas used in football manufacturing cannot be exported via ship frieght, as it has to be processed by some chemical within 20 hours, so this airport is going to open some doors for the great Sialkoti business community.
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*Originally posted by Fraudz: *
what do sialkotis do for transportation currently? what is the nearest airport to them and how do they get there?
I would have thought that high speed trains could be a better solution because they can connect several cities to that network and as long as there are some cities closeby that have airports, the net benefit of a better train service may be higher..for people as well as frieght.
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Finally, the Islamabad to Sialkot route is done with the major construction phases, but the Wazirabad-Sialkot path and its alternative Gujranwala-Sialkot patch are terrible. There are lots of Flying Coaches, and ofcourse Wagons connecting the city to other cities. Sialkot does have a good train station, but we already know the deplorable state of the railways, despite the Government claiming they have revived it. This airport is expected to be built near Sambrial, which is about 20 to 30 minutes away from Sialkot. If cities like Sukkar, Gilgit etc can have an airport, a giant economic city like Sialkot should have many ;)
Its simple spock, the overall benefit comes from schools and hospitals. An airport doesnt help the poor man. Plus what added value does an airport bring for these people? Little to none. Deal with 90% of the population not the 10% elite to fix and develop the country.
CM, its very simple. You can't stop a private organisation from investing (in a free market). eg. if ICI decides to build another plant in the country, and borrows money from the government, would you criticise the government for providing money for the ICI plant? Just about every government in the world will provide funds that create job opportunities etc. I remember Albama state bending over backwards to get Honda to set up its plant in Alabama. Your critcism of the govt. for lack of work in social sector is very valid, but I don't agree that its at the right place or time.
I am not stopping the private sector. If they want to do it fine with me. But just looking at the inadequate infrastructure existing in Pakistan, the money could be well spent else where. Anyway we are going around in circles. If there are any positive spill over affects from this project than good for us. But i highly doubt it.
CM
you may also be looking only at the near term impact. if having better transportation infrastrurture can help establish sialkot as more of a manufacturing hub, it is defintely in the interest of people in that area.
Fraudia the short term impact means little, if the people are stick in the same circle of poverty. If it does become a hub, you need to educate the locals towards the industries there. This requires even more time and alot more money (believing that things will get more expensive in the future).
If the infrastructure for the industries is not pre-existing then the area may not really develop. I know this is all mere speculation. But if Pakistan wants to progress they have to do it the Asian Tigers way. Pour billions if not trillions into education and then use that to build an industrial base, or services orientated as the trend shows.
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*Originally posted by CM: *
But if Pakistan wants to progress they have to do it the Asian Tigers way. Pour billions if not trillions into education and then use that to build an industrial base, or services orientated as the trend shows.
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I will agree with that. I hope the govt. makes primary and secondary mandatory for the issuance of NIC. Surest way of getting people into schools. If they can implement that, then we'll go a long way forward in achieving a high literacy rate.
CM
education in itself cant do much if there are no opportunites, and opportunities come from investment, local as well as foriegn.
you can not have one without the other..
CM, I suggest you go and visit Sialkot, you'd be surprised to find out how many people there in the city are into the sports business. I would have had the same view as yours, had I not seen the city. Its not just the city, even the 'pinds' outside sialkot have people making big money working in this industry. Setting up a bunch of schools there would make no difference, whereas an airport will further boost the economic potential of this city. We definitely need an airport in Sialkot. Everyone in Pakistan knows that. Sports goods and surgial instruments has been a steady export for us, and should remain so.
btw,the previous PIA helicopter service from isloo-lahore-sialkot was of no use, but ppl still used it.
Fraudia, i agree both go hand in hand. But if the education is there, but the facilities are not, investment will increase like in teh Indian IT sector. The had the raw material and labor, the investment came in and look at them and they only built large expensive infrastructure once they new the investment was going to keep coming in.
Spock, They have an industry. Good for them. With a proper education system the possibilities are endless for all types of secondary industries to be set up. Put it this way, we establish a solid schooling system, which turn out doctors, engineers and the good old fashion "solid jobs". It makes it easier on the local people and the industry as they already have these labor resources for addition more complex work heck even starting secondary industries, like resturants, hotels, car shops.