Sialkot Labour Day rally highlights workers’ welfare

SIALKOT, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st May, 2026) A Labour Day rally was held on Defence Road in Sialkot, led by Member of the Provincial Assembly Chaudhry Faisal Ikram, President of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry Syed Ihtesham Mazhar Gilani, and Assistant Commissioner Rana Safdar Shabbir.

The rally was jointly organized by the Sialkot Workers Federation of Pakistan and the Pakistan Workers Federation, drawing participation from labor leaders, workers, and people from various walks of life.

Among those who addressed the gathering were former Nazim Mian Naeem Javed, Deputy Director Labour Welfare Tayyab Virk, former Chairman Simaab Hassan Yousaf Bajwa, Chaudhry Muhammad Ashraf, Rasheed Ahmed Sandhu, Niaz Ahmed Naji, Chaudhry Naseer Ahmed, Mian Muhammad Iqbal, Abdul Shakoor Mirza, and Ashfaq Nazar Ghumman.

Speaking on the occasion, MPA Chaudhry Faisal Ikram said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab government has taken significant steps for workers’ welfare, including setting the minimum wage at Rs.

40,000. He added that ration cards have been distributed among workers, through which Rs. 20 billion has already been disbursed, while an additional Rs. 3 billion is currently being distributed.

He further stated that approximately 54,000 workers in Sialkot have completed biometric verification for these ration cards and are benefiting from the initiative.

President of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Syed Ihtesham Mazhar Gilani, highlighted that Sialkot’s skilled workforce enjoys global recognition. He noted that in industries such as sports goods and surgical instruments, the city’s labor force is unmatched, giving Pakistan a distinct position in international markets.