Sialkot International Airport Limited to open on 6 November

[Reza_Pahlavi]

Re: Sialkot International Airport Limited to open on 6 November

Construction of the airport was first approved in February 2001 by the President of Pakistan, Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf.

In February 2001, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan with the approval of Ministry of Defence for the construction of Sialkot International Airport.

This was the beginning. The project was expected to cost Rs1,500m along with Rs230m (provided by the Government of Pakistan) to obtain the 1,050ac site for the construction. So far the total expenditure has exceeded Rs2,320m.

The businessmen of Sialkot had been trying since the late 1980’s to get federal govt funding or at least approval to build the airport. But the govts of BB and Nawaz were not interested in funding this project, let alone let others (local business men) take some credit for it. Only General Musharraf in 2001 saw past this kind of politicking and approved the project, eased the planning of the airport, as well contribute some funding to it as well. :k: