Sialkot-Lahore motorway: arrangements to undertake uplift work being finalised

Arrangements are being finalised for undertaking development work on Sialkot-Lahore motorway project, costing more than Rs 20 billion. Official sources told Business Recorder here on Sunday that new industrial estates would be developed on Sambrial, Gujranwala and Muridke interchanges on Sialkot-Lahore motorway and the process of selection of land for the proposed estates was under way.
Besides, an ultra modern Sialkot Engineering University was being developed on 500 acres of land on Sambrial-Daska section near the proposed Sialkot-Lahore motorway. The role of Swedish government would be instrumental in establishing the proposed university and its collaboration in extending the technical know-how. The Swedish government would also provide necessary assistance in the formulation of faculties of the proposed engineering university.
The university would not only cater to the needs of industrial sector of Sialkot, but would also provide opportunities of higher education at local level. The university would provide broad-based opportunities of industrial research and development to local industries like surgical instruments, sports goods and leather industry for resolving their problems pertaining to innovation of products.
At present, the business community here, engaged in manufacturing of surgical instruments, sports goods and leather goods, is facing hardships due to the lack of research and development facilities at local level. The surgical instruments and sports goods industries of Sialkot have great potential and the two sectors may earn seven billion dollars and 10 billion dollars, respectively.
The completion of the motorway would reduce the distance between Sialkot and Lahore and it would further accelerate the pace of trade and commerce activities and generate employment opportunities, sources added.