Azhakhel dry port still not properly running

Exporters forced to send goods via private trucks that demand extra fare

PESHAWAR:

Traders have complained that goods exporters are compelled to send their consignments through private trucks by paying additional fares, which is inflicting a heavy financial burden on them.

A delegation of businessmen from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa called on the newly appointed Collector Customs Appraisement Amjadur Rehman for discussion over issues creating hurdles in the way of trade in the region.

The seven-member delegation was led by Frontier Customs Agents Association President Ziaul Haq Sarhadi, said a statement issued on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, Sarhadi, who is also the coordinator of the Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted the issues pertaining to trade, import and export from border posts including Torkham, Ghulam Khan, Kharlachi, Angoor Ada, Peshawar dry port and airport.

He pointed out that Azhakhel dry port was not functioning smoothly and transportation of export goods via rail link had almost come to a halt. In that situation, the exporters were sending their consignments through private trucks by paying extra fare for transportation.

Sarhadi complained that the Azhakhel dry port, which had been inaugurated with much fanfare around four years ago, could not be made properly operational so far.

At the time of its inauguration, he recalled, the then prime minister Imran Khan announced that a special cargo train would also be launched from Azhakhel that would run between Karachi and Peshawar.

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Responding to the traders’ remarks, the collector customs expressed hope that he would be able to resolve the issues being faced by customs agents and the business community. He assured them of taking up the Azhakhel dry port issue with Pakistan Railways.

“I belong to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and fully understand the problems being faced by the business community of the province,” he remarked.

Agreeing with the suggestions floated during the meeting, the collector customs stressed that their ideas would be given due consideration for the promotion of commerce and trade in the region.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd , 2023.

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