The Pakistan Land Port Authority (PLPA) will start operation in February next year to facilitate trade with Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics.
It was revealed by a delegation of PLPA and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) during a meeting with Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Hasnain Khurshid Ahmad on Monday.
The delegation, led by former member Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Integrated Borders Management and Trade Facilitation Syed Tanveer Ahmad and ADB HR Specialist/ Research and Data Analyst Muhammad Irfan, informed the meeting that a draft bill had been finalised, which was likely to be presented in parliament for final approval.
Ahmad highlighted that PLPA’s main objective was to facilitate trade and provide services to traders under one-window operation through an integrated system of different relevant departments.
In this regard, a hefty amount was being spent on infrastructure improvement at Torkham, Kharlachi and Chaman trade routes, he revealed.
He emphasised the need for public-private partnership for bringing improvement and providing facilities to traders in the border region.
Speaking on the occasion, the SCCI chief underlined that the initiative would provide different facilities to traders under one-window operation.
He stressed that steps should be taken to improve the border management system, re-launch the cargo train service from Peshawar, enhance scanning machines at all major trade routes and simplify procedures/ checking mechanism for goods consignments.
He praised the installation of modern gadgets at the trade facilitating stations.
However, due to the lack of proper facilities, the latest system was rapidly losing its importance, which caused difficulties for the trading community, he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 28th, 2021.
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