SIALKOT: Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif has welcomed the launch of Sialkot Medical City Limited (SMCL), describing it as a major and much-needed healthcare initiative aimed at providing advanced medical facilities to residents of Sialkot and surrounding areas.
He was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Sialkot Medical City Limited, held at a local marquee in Cantt Sialkot.
Khawaja Asif said residents of Sialkot often have to travel to Lahore for serious medical treatment, causing the loss of valuable time during medical emergencies. He expressed hope that the project would be completed at the earliest and provide quality healthcare facilities closer to home.
The federal minister said the government was also expected to lay the foundation stone for a cardiac hospital and a 500-bed hospital in the coming days. However, he noted that public-sector healthcare facilities of such scale and quality remain limited.
He described the SMCL project as part of a broader series of public-oriented initiatives undertaken by the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) over nearly four decades.
Paying tribute to Group Leader Riaz-ud-Din Sheikh (SI) and his colleagues, Khawaja Asif said the Sialkot Chamber had introduced a new model of private-sector participation in public service and development.
He cited Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL), AirSial-related initiatives and other major projects as examples of the business community’s contribution to developing modern infrastructure and services for the region.
The minister also said the Rs205 billion Kharian-Islamabad Motorway project had been approved, with its first phase expected to be completed next year. He said the project would further improve connectivity and provide the region with infrastructure aligned with international standards.
Highlighting Sialkot’s economic importance, Khawaja Asif praised the city’s business community for its contribution to employment, exports and international trade. He particularly highlighted Sialkot’s globally recognized football manufacturing industry.
He said Sialkot’s exporters had built such a strong international reputation that leading global brands increasingly sought their expertise and services.
The federal minister expressed confidence that Sialkot Medical City would further strengthen the city’s position as an economic and service hub while providing residents with access to advanced medical treatment without having to travel to other cities.
Provincial Minister for Labour and Human Resource Punjab Muhammad Manshaullah Butt, MPA Chaudhry Faisal Ikram, Sialkot Business Community Group Leader Riaz-ud-Din Sheikh, SIAL Chairman Abdul Ghafoor Malik, SMCL Chairman Khawaja Masood Akhtar (SI, HI), CEO Majid Raza Bhutta, Senior Vice Chairman Baber Iqbal, Vice Chairmen Haseeb Ahmed Bhatti and Mubashir Wahid, and representatives of the Sialkot business community attended the ceremony.