SIALKOT: President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Muhammad Ashraf Malik has said that the issue of divisional status for Sialkot was a longstanding demand of the people of Sialkot including business community. The SCCI President said that this export-oriented city is deserved for divisional status because of its 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 Center and a highly value-added export-oriented sector he said.

President Chamber said that the District Sialkot with a population of 3.9MN 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 also added that the region held importance because of foreign travellers who were visiting the city owing to their business commitments and also due to the prospect of religious tourism thanks to the opening of Kartarpur Corridor.

He shared that the district was contributing USD 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 Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar to grant division status to Sialkot, comprising three districts - Sialkot, Narowal and Gujrat.

Ashraf Malik said that divisional status was the basic right of Sialkot as it fulfilled all official requirements for the status. He was of the view that the district had a heap of issues that could only be managed and resolved if it was awarded its divisional infrastructure and bureaucratic machinery. He said that this status could help boost the socio-economic and human development activities in the Sialkot region.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020