SIALKOT: The fate of the mega project “Sports Goods Testing Lab” is in doldrums as it has been awaiting the attention of the government officials concerned for the last seven years. The building meant for this project has been abandoned, presenting a glaring example of the official negligence. The unattended building has become a safe haven for poisonous snakes.
The Punjab government had started the project with an aim to build a testing laboratory of international accreditation. The idea was envisaged by the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) to facilitate the local industry by providing it the facilities of international testing standards at local level.
The need for a comprehensive and international accredited testing facility related to sportswear and sports goods in Sialkot had been identified by the sports goods sector stakeholders on a number of forums. Sportswear testing laboratory was also identified by the SCCI sub-committee on sportswears during the working on Sports Goods Sector Strategy by SMEDA in 2005.
The Commerce and Investment (C&I) Department had procured eight kanals land at the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and civil works was started in financial year 2008-09. This project was set to be completed by June 30, 2009 at a cost of Rs. 250.535 million.
