SIALKOT: Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has launched a major healthcare initiative aimed at addressing the city’s long-standing need for advanced medical facilities.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Sialkot Medical City Limited (SMCL) held in a local marquee at Cantt Sialkot, the minister said that the initiative was a welcome and much-needed venture for Sialkot, expressing hope that the project would be completed at the earliest and bring significant benefits to the people of the city and surrounding areas.

Federal Minister said that residents of Sialkot had to travel to Lahore in cases of serious medical emergencies, resulting in the loss of valuable time during critical situations. While some affluent patients are able to travel abroad for treatment, the availability of advanced healthcare facilities within the region remains essential.

He noted that the government is also expected to lay the foundation stone for a cardiac hospital along with a 500-bed hospital within the coming days. However, he pointed out that public-sector healthcare facilities of this scale and quality remain limited.

Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that the new healthcare initiative was part of a broader series of public-oriented projects undertaken by the Sialkot Chamber over nearly four decades under the leadership of Riaz-ud-Din Sheikh (SI).

Paying tribute to Sheikh Riaz and his colleagues, Defence Minister said the Sialkot Chamber had introduced and promoted a new dimension of public service in Sialkot. He cited the Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL), AirSial airline related initiatives and other major projects as examples of the private sector’s leading role in developing public facilities for the city.

He said the Rs. 205 billion Kharian-Islamabad Motorway project had been approved and that its first phase was expected to be completed next year.

Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that the Chamber’s initiatives in aviation and transportation have provided the wider region with new destinations and modern facilities. Once the motorway is completed, he said, the entire area would have access to infrastructure meeting international standards.

Federal Minister also praised Sialkot’s business community for its strong contribution to employment and exports. He said Sialkot had established a strong position in the international market, particularly in the football manufacturing industry.

“Football is the most widely played sport in the world, and Sialkot has established a dominant position in its manufacturing,” he said, emphasizing the city’s global reputation.

He further said Sialkot’s industrial sector was providing employment opportunities to people and maintaining international standards while competing in global markets.

“Sialkot’s exporters are not competing with small names; they have built such a reputation that leading international brands are compelled to come to their doorstep and benefit from their services,” he said.

Federal Minister expressed confidence that the new healthcare project would further strengthen Sialkot’s position as a major economic and service hub, while providing residents with access to quality medical treatment closer to home.

Provincial Minister for Labour and Human Resource Punjab Muhammad Manshaullah Butt, Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Ch. Faisal Ikram, Group leader Sialkot Business Community Riaz-ud-Din Sheikh (SI), Chairman Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL) Abdul Ghafoor Malik, Chairman SMCL Khawaja Masood Akhtar (SI,HI, Ambassador-at-Large for Export Promotion), CEO Majid Raza Bhutta, Senior Vice Chairman Baber Iqbal, Vice Chairman Haseeb Ahmed Bhatti, Vice Chairman Mubashir Wahid and Sialkot business community attended the ceremony.