Work on Phase One to Begin This Year After Approval: NESPAK Briefs on Sialkot Ring Road

By Dr. Ansab Ali
Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: A high-level meeting regarding the Sialkot Ring Road project was held at the Communication and Works (C&W) Department office, during which a decision was taken to start work on Phase One of the project within the current year, following approval from the Planning and Development (P&D) Department and the provincial cabinet.
The meeting was chaired by Provincial Minister for Communications Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharath and Provincial Minister for Labour Muhammad Minshaullah Butt. Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif, MPA Faisal Akram, the Commissioner of Gujranwala Division and the Deputy Commissioner Sialkot attended the meeting online. Secretary C&W Sohail Ashraf, officials of NESPAK and other relevant officers were also present.
During the meeting, NESPAK officials gave a detailed briefing on the Sialkot Ring Road project, informing participants that the proposed ring road will be 49.5 kilometres long and will be completed in three phases.
Provincial Minister Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharath said Phase One will comprise a 16-kilometre stretch from Pasrur to Wazirabad. Phase Two will cover 17 kilometres from Pasrur to Saidpur, while Phase Three will span 16.5 kilometres from Saidpur to Wazirabad. He added that land acquisition will be carried out for the project and that work on Phase One will commence this year after the necessary approvals.
Provincial Minister for Labour Muhammad Minshaullah Butt said the Sialkot Ring Road will significantly improve travel facilities for the residents of Sialkot. Federal Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said the project would help ease traffic congestion and resolve long-standing transportation issues of the city.
Representatives of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomed the project, saying it would provide a major boost to the local business community and the industrial sector of Sialkot.