Exhibit D: Sialkot’s strategic proximity to power
AirSial is backed by the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the same community that built Pakistan’s first private international airport. Sialkot is also:
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a major export hub (sports goods, surgical instruments),
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a celebrated model in Imran Khan’s “Naya Pakistan” narrative,
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and a politically aligned business constituency.
Contrast matters:
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Other startups (Q-Airlines, K2 Airways) did not receive repeat cabinet extensions, policy-timed relief, or PM inaugurations.
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The pattern suggests selective intensity, not universal facilitation.
Addressing allegations responsibly (EEAT standard)
Social media commentary has alleged fee waivers, accelerated international operations, and political favoritism. These claims circulate widely but vary in verification. An EEAT-compliant approach requires:
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Separating verified policy actions (policy changes, extensions, inaugurations)
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Unproven allegations (kickbacks, charity links), which remain claims, not established facts.
The strong case does not rely on allegations. It stands on documented relaxations and interventions alone.
The bottom line
Put together, the record shows:
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A policy overhaul that unlocked startup entry at a moment critical for AirSial.
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Multiple, non-routine license extensions approved at the highest level.
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Direct prime-ministerial engagement and endorsement uncommon for private airlines.
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A beneficiary profile (Sialkot’s business community) uniquely aligned with the government’s political narrative.
Call it pro-business if you like. Call it reform. But on evidence, it was extraordinary facilitation—and AirSial was its clearest beneficiary.
