SIALKOT, Sept 22: Work has not been started for converting the Sialkot junction into a ‘model’ railway station and setting up a trade centre there as promised by PR Chairman Saeedul Zafar during his visit four years ago. Demanding implementation of the project, the local business community and general public have urged the railways chief to affix two lower AC boggies with Sialkot-Karachi-bound Allama Iqbal Express which he had also promised during his visit to the railway station.

They also demanded replacement of the track between Sialkot-Sambrial-Wazirabad and Sialkot-Narowal sections for enhancing speed of trains up to 70 miles per hour.

Meanwhile, they have protested against ‘mishandling’ of railway crossings system in the city, resulting in frequent traffic jams.

The citizens said all the five crossings were closed for about 15 times daily as a result of which congestion at crossings disrupted traffic flow in all parts of the city.

Talking to Dawn, Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Qaisar S.Shabir suggested that a mini railway station should be constructed at Adalat Garha where all rail traffic coming from Wazirabad should be intercepted and trains from Narowal side should be stopped at the existing station.

The step would help avert congestion, he said.

Sikh yatrees: Over 1,000 Sikh yatrees from India, the UK, the US, Germany, Australia and other Asian and European countries on Thursday participated in Baba Guru Nanak’s religious rites “Joti Jot Samaye” at Baba’s Gurdwara in Kartarpura village, Narowal district.

The visiting Sikh yatrees also distributed sweets and exchanged gifts with each other.

Talking to reporters, various Sikh leaders, including Pardhan of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Sardar Mastan Singh, Sardar Jogindar Singh, Patel Singh, Harnam Singh and Diljeet Kaur, expressed their satisfaction over arrangements made for religious rites.

They also hailed the Pakistan government’s efforts for maintaining and protecting religious and sacred places of the Sikh community in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, tight security arrangements were made by the law enforcing agencies in Kartarpura. Several Sikhs also visited their native houses in Shakargarh, Zafarwal, Baddo Malhi and Narowal amid tight security.

SNATCHED: Three armed robbers deprived college professor Amanullah Rathore of his motorcycle (STN-6367), Rs50,000 in cash and a cell phone near the Upper Chenab Canal’s bank.

Sambrial police have registered a case.