| SIAL Newsletter December 2004 |
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Sialkot International Airport Meets ICAO Standards |
Sialkot International Airport is a project of the enterprising exporters and business community of Sialkot on self-help basis. President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf graciously extended his support for this mega project considering its immense potential for the development of the region and thereby quantum increase in the exports of the country.
The construction of the Airport started in January 2003 near Sambrial, about 15km away from Sialkot city. The Airport site covers the area, measuring 1030 acres. The Airport site occupies a vital strategic position and stands right in the center of the export triangle of Pakistan comprising Gujrat, Gujranwala and Sialkot. This triangle is the home of millions of Pakistanis working abroad.
Besides increasing the cargo exports, this project will also benefit foreign visitors and local businessmen /people to reach their destinations safely and swiftly. Moreover, the Airport will help attract worldwide clients and bring major strategic changes in the region.
The Airport is being built strictly adhering to the ICAO / IATA standards in close coordination with Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan using the most modern technical / operational facilities. It features a 3600-meter long runway equipped with Category-II airfield lighting system CAT-II ILS (Capable to be upgraded to CAT-III) and latest communication and weather warning systems.
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Mr. Imtiaz Hussain Khan, Project Director SIAL |
| The Airport infrastructure 1 includes a spacious 1 Level T2 erminal Building, Domestic and Cargo Terminals, ATC & FCR Building, Category-9 Fire Fighting Facilities, Fuel Farm and a spacious Apron to accommodate four Boeing-747 Aircrafts at a time, also Internal Road Network and a new approach road to the Airport. SIAL plans to start its Cargo Flights by July 2005, followed by Passenger Flights by the middle of the year 2006. The Management of SIAL stands committed to create new quality standards with innovative service differentials in the Aviation Industry |
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SIAL Delegation Meets Speaker National Assembly & Minister Of Defence |
A delegation of SIAL comprising Chief Executive, Mr. Khawar Anwar Khawaja, Director, Mr. Muhammad Hanif Khan, General Manager, Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Chaudhry and Consultant, Col. Retd Azam Qadri called on the Honourable Speaker National Assembly, Chaudhry Amir Hussain and Minister of Defence, Mr. Zahid Hamid in their offices on 10th November 2004.
Matters concerning the Defence Ministry and other government departments like establishment of Airport Security Force, MET Department and other functionaries at Sialkot International Airport were discussed with the honourable Minister, who assured his full support to resolve these problems
The SIAL delegation also visited Chairman Planning Commission, Mr. Akram Sheikh and Senior Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Mr. Yasin Tahir and apprised them about the latest progress of the Airport. |
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Chairman CBR Visits The SIAL Site |
| Chairman CBR, Mr. Abdullah Yousaf visited the SIAL site on 22nd November 2004. He was accompanied by Collector Customs Sambrial Dry Port Mr. Nasir, Commissioner Income Tax Sialkot, Mr. Saadat Farooq and senior officials of Customs, Income Tax and Sales Tax departments. Chairman CBR, Mr. Abdullah Yousaf was warmly welcomed by Chairman SIAL, Mian Muhammad Riaz, Chief Executive SIAL, Mr. Khawar A. Khawaja and Project Engineer SIAL, Maj. Retd Syed Shahid Anwar
Chairman CBR, Mr. Abdullah Yousaf was greatly surprised to know that SIAL is a joint venture of the enterprising exporters |
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Left to right: Chief Executive SIAL, Mr. Khawar Anwar Khawaja, Chairman CBR, Mr. Abdullah Yousaf and Chairman SIAL, Mian Muhammad Riaz exchanging views on the SIAL project during a meeting held at the Airport site. |
| of Sialkot on self-help basis. He agreed to extend his maximum support to the project and declared to defer the payments of custom duty on the Airport’s operational equipment for a period of five years. |
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Issuance Of LOI To Interscan Navigation Systems Australia |
| Chief Executive SIAL, Mr. Khawar Anwar Khawaja and Convener ATC & Navigational Aids Committee SIAL, Mr. Muhammad Awais signed the Letter of Intent (LoI) in a meeting held at SIAL head office. With this contract, M/s. Interscan Navigation Systems (Pvt) Ltd, Australia will supply and install Air Traffic Control Navigational Aids Equipment on turnkey basis at the Airport site. |
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| Chief Executive SIAL, Mr. Khawar Anwar Khawaja awarding the Letter of Intent to Mr. Imnan Saeed, Manager Business Development representing Australian High Commission |
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Construction Of Approach Roads To The Airport |
Chief Minister of Punjab, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi had formally approved and announced the construction of a dual carriageway between Sialkot Dry Port and Sialkot International Airport in a Groundbreaking Ceremony held on 18th December 2003. For the acquirement of the land by Government of Punjab, Convener Administrative Committee SIAL, Mr. Islam Cheema played a pivotal role and successfully negotiated the release of land from the land lords for construction of dual carriageway. The contract has already been awarded and it is expected to be completed prior to the start of Airport operations. Meanwhile the construction of a dual carriageway between Sialkot and Wazirabad has already been started by the Punjab Government. The District Govt. is also carrying out the widening and construction of Sialkot Kulluwal Road up to the Airport.
The construction of dual carriageways and link roads will be stepping stones for the development of surrounding areas of the Sialkot city and provide bigger market access to the Sialkot Airport. |
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| Habib Bank Announces The Opening Of Its Branch At The Airport Site |
President and Chief Executive Officer, Habib Bank Limited, Mr. Zakir Mehmood visited the Sialkot Airport site on 17th December 2004. Chief Executive SIAL, Mr. Khawar Anwar Khawaja along with Directors of SIAL, Mr. Mehboob A. Sheikh, Mr. Khalid Barlas, Sheikh Muhammad Yaqoob, Project Engineer SIAL, Maj. Retd Shahid Anwar and Resident Engineer NESPAK Mr. Arshad Araien received the distinguished guests at the Airport and briefed them on various projects in progress.
Mr. Zakir Mehmood was accompanied by senior executives of Habib Bank. He appreciated the fact that SIAL is a unique initiative taken by the exporters and business community of Sialkot on self- help basis. He also announced the opening of a Habib Bank Branch at the Airport site immediately after the commissioning of the Airport. |
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| CEO Habib Bank Limited, Mr. Zakir Mehmood with Chief Executive SIAL, Mr. Khawar Anwar Khawaja and Directors and Project Officers SIAL, during his visit to the Airport site. |
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| SIAL Achieves The Installment Target |
| In the Articles of Association, SIAL had laid down the schedule of payments of all the five installments of Directors' share accounting for Rs. 5 million each. According to the Articles, the 11th December 2004 was the last date for the payment of the 5th installment. The installments target was achieved with the timely payment of the 5th installment by 220 Directors of SIAL endorsing their full confidence in the project. |
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