Appeal to Reroute Sialkot Ring Road Phase-1 Alignment to Protect Homes, Businesses and Graveyards

Issuing parties: exporters, business community, commercial unions and the local residential community of Sialkot.

Purpose: An urgent appeal addressed to party leaders requesting a review and rerouting of the Sialkot Ring Road Phase-1 alignment. The existing 13-year old alignment now approaches the city and threatens numerous villages and urban edge properties.

Key concerns and affected items: houses and residential settlements; shops, commercial businesses and industrial units; mosques and religious seminaries (madrassas); graveyards; factories and petrol pumps (noted to employ thousands). Signatories warn of large-scale business, financial and livelihood losses and the displacement of families and workers if the alignment is not changed.

Requested action: shift the project alignment outward onto green/outer land away from populated areas, conduct a fresh review of the project alignment, and take measures to prevent major economic and social harm to residents and businesses. The appeal seeks intervention and assurance of protection and relief from the named political leaders.

Location: Sialkot, Punjab.