| SIAL Newsletter March 2008 |
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PIA STARTS OPERATION FROM SIALKOT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT |
The much awaited, PIA started its domestic operation KHI-SKT-KHI from Sialkot International Airport on 30th November 2007 initially with twice a week. Subsequently, the domestic frequency was raised to thrice a week. It also added an International flight i.e SKT-KWI-SKT-KHI on 15th Feb 2008. It is worth mentioning here that the National carrier has pioneered the opening of new routes around the globe and the new route SKT-KWI-SKT is a brilliant development for the people of the region indeed. The PIA has a unique selling position in that the carrier has its own offices and staff all over the world.
Apart from passengers the inaugural flight to Kuwait also carried a delegation of PIA headed by Mr. Salahuddin SVP marketing and a delegation of SIAL headed by Mian Naeem Javed, Director Sialkot Airport. In order to celebrate the historic occasion, the PIA arranged a sumptuous dinner in Hotel Plaza Kuwait which was attended by these delegations, travel agents, notables of the city, members of Pakistani business community settled in Kuwait with the Pakistan Ambassador to Kuwait as Chief Guest. The whole function turned out to be the SIAL's show. The office bearers of Pakistani community of Kuwait present in the function were so excited that they immediately invited the SIAL's delegation on luncheons and dinners at various places. Rana Ejaz, Mian Ilyas, Mr. Shahid I. Muhammad President Pakistan Business Association Kuwait, Fayyaz Bhinder and other prominent Pakistani extended facilitations to the SIAL's visiting team. |
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SIAL WELCOMES FIRST LANDING OF B-747 AIRCRAFT |
| Sialkot International Airport has been certified by Civil Aviation Authority for the operations of all types of Aircrafts including B-747 as it has 3.6 KM long Runway with 95 LCN, Cat-II Airfield Lighting System and ILS and cat 8 Rescue and Fire Fighting services. The first B-747 of PIA landed at the Airport on 22nd February 2008. Mr. Khawar Anwar Khawaja, Mr. Muhammad Islam Cheema, Mr. Muhammad Awais Directors SIAL accompanied by Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Ch. General Manager and SIAL staff, Mediamen and travel agents also traveled on the first flight. The historic flight was received by Mr. Ghulam Mustafa Chaudhry, Chairman and Dr. Sarfraz Bashir, Vice Chairman SIAL and also witnessed by the Directors of SIAL and their families with unusual excitement and fervour. The Airport also received 2nd Flight of B-747 on 07th March 2008 with a number of travel and cargo agents, media people, Directors and their families on board with the courtesy of PIA. |
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SIALKOT INTERNATRIONAL AIRPORT INAUGURATED BY PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN |
| President Pervez Musharraf formally inaugurated Sialkot International Airport on 11 th December 2007. The Governor Punjab, Federal and Provincial Ministers, high ranking officers of Govt. and private Firms, and Directors Sialkot International Airport attended the ceremony. Mr. Baber Iqbal Chairman and Mr. Khawar Anwar Khawaja, Chief Executive Sialkot International Airport made brief but comprehensive presentation at the occasion. In his address President Pervez Musharraf lauded the efforts of business community of Sialkot for setting a unique precedent by constructing international airport, first of its kind in the country. The functioning of airport in the area would help further accelerate the pace of trade and commerce activities and help reduce the poverty and generate employment opportunities in the region he added. |
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MESSAGE FROM PERVEZ MUSHARRAF PRESIDENT OF ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN |
"It gives me immense pleasure to extend my heartiest felicitations to the business community of Sialkot and all those individuals for having contributed in an unprecedented way to realize the dream of an international airport at Sialkot.
What this unique venture demonstrates is that when people are determined and united in a cause, there is no obstacle that can hold them and success is their destiny. We are proud of the business community of Sialkot and they have set an example for others to emulate. The construction of Sialkot Airport will, Insha Allah, lead to an unprecedented boom in business, creation of jobs and generate economic activity for the betterment of the people of the area."
I wish the directors, management and all stakeholders of Sialkot Airport success in their endeavours and assure them of our fullest support. |
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CUSTOM BONDED TRANSPORT FACILITY |
| The Federal Board of Revenue has already declared and notified the Airport as custom station. Hence, a full-fledged custom Deptt alongwith PRAL set up has been established. Similarly, the Airport has raised a fleet of custom bonded trucks to facilitate the transportation of import and export cargo of the Airport from and to various airports and custom stations of the country. |
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NEW CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN |
| The SIAL Board of Directors has elected and appointed Mr. Ghulam Mustafa Chaudhry as Chairman and Dr. Sarfraz Bashir as Vice Chairman. The Board commended the excellent performance of the outgoing Chairman Mr. Baber Iqbal and Chief Executive Mr. Khawar Anwar Khawaja for their utter determination, exemplary courage and firm commitment that turned the dream into a reality. It is worth mentioning here that Mr. M. Azeem Zafar has already replaced Mr. Khawar Anwar Khawaja as the new Chief Executive SIAL. |
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VISIT OF GOVERNER STATE BANK OF PAKISTAN |
| Miss Shamshad Akhtar Governor State Bank of Pakistan visited Sialkot International Airport on 14th March 2008. The Chairman, Vice Chairman, Directors and members of SIAL management received the honourable guest. She was briefed on the various important aspects of self help based International Airport. She also visited the Domestic Terminal of the Airport and was pleased to note that the exporters of Sialkot have taken a unique initiative of building an International Airport in private Sector. She said with an International Airport in the region, the exports of the region will be increased especially the export of agro-based products will be increased manifold. |
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HBL OPENS A BRANCH AT THE AIRPORT |
| The Habib Bank Ltd has established its branch at the Airport to facilitate the Airlines, forwarders, passengers and general customers. The branch was inaugurated by Mr. Sheikh Mushtaq, Regional Chief HBL on 5th March 2008. |
