Traders have appealed to the Railway authorities to ensure a survey for laying rail tracks between Sialkot-Daska to help minimise the travel distance between Sialkot-Lahore. According to trade leaders of the region, huge amount is being spent on upgradation of railway tracks in various parts of the country but Sialkot has been totally ignored since long.
Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) president Dr Khurram Khwaja observed that rail link between Sialkot-Daska will help accelerate trade and commerce activities and ensure speedy handling of export consignments through reducing travel time and distance between Sialkot and Lahore.
Commenting on the matter, Professor Safdar Sandel, former chairman Sports Goods (Manufacturers) Association, said that presently a majority of traders prefer to travel by road in coaches or personal transport, because the Lahore-bound train lacks even the basic facilities, while the rail track between Sialkot-Narowal is also in bad shape and in need of urgent repairs, he added.
SCCI member executive body Pervaiz Soni said that trade and social circles of Sialkot have since years requested the Railway authorities to provide a fast railcar service between Sialkot-Rawalpindi, induct AC bogies in the Karachi bound Allama Iqbal Express, and a fast train service between Sialkot-Lahore and Sialkot-Faisalabad, but nobody heeded them. "Provision of modern and comfortable train travel facilities to the business community, and to all people, is a genuine demand, and the Railway authorities should ensure necessary steps in this regard," he added.