SIALKOT: Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) president Muhammad Ashraf Malik said the issue of divisional status for Sialkot was a longstanding demand of the people of the district including business community and global industrial significance and geographical importance.

The district was a perfect candidate for being awarded the status of the Division thanks to its international airport, dry port, export processing zone, tannery zone, sports industry development center, business & commerce centre, religious tourism, (Kartarpur Corridor) and a highly value-added export-oriented sector, he said.

The SCCI president said Sialkot with a population of 3.9 million was also known as the home to Roaming Ambassadors of Pakistan, the exporters who, with their relentless efforts, had made their district and the country, renowned internationally which was not only a matter of pride for the Punjab Province but also the beloved country.

He shared that the district was contributing $2.5 billion annually to the national exchequer through exports and was playing a pivotal role in promoting business and trade activities in the region.

He urged Prime Minister Imran Khan, Punjab Governor Ch Sarwar, and Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar to grant division status to Sialkot, comprising three districts - Sialkot, Narowal and Gujrat.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020