Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Sialkot International Airport Ltd (SIAL) will sign a formal licence agreement regarding provision of aviation, consumer and retail facilities at the under-construction Sialkot airport.
The signing ceremony of the agreement scheduled to be held at Lahore on Monday, September 27, 2004. The project expected to be completed within 9-12 months at an estimated cost of Rs 30 million.
According to the MoU signed earlier in this regard between the two parties all facilities will be developed as per international Aviation Quality Control & Safety requirements.
The infrastructure will consist of storage of 360,000 litres of Jet A-l fuel with pumping, filtration and allied network, as well as retail and consumer facilities, along with office block, product loading and unloading gantry, quality testing facilities, etc.
This will be the 9th airport in Pakistan where PSO will provide the aviation facilities.
It should be mentioned that Sialkot has become a hub of exports from Pakistan with local entrepreneurs urging the authorities for a direct air link with the outside world.
The present government has approved the project to establish the first airport in the private sector, under the auspices of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
According to a PSO's spokesman the project will not only increase the air traffic through Pakistan but also will earn invaluable foreign exchange for the country and will greatly serve the local cottage industry, already having its reputation in the world.