97% work on modern border terminals at Torkham, Chaman completed

The National Logistics Corporation (NLC) has completed 97% of the Integrated Transit Trade Management System (ITTMS) at Torkham and Chaman to enhance Pakistan's transit trade capacity and expedite cross-border trade processes.

The inauguration of these major projects is expected in February 2025. This significant development positions Pakistan alongside developed nations with state-of-the-art border terminals.

Funded by the Asian Development Bank, the projects are being supervised by the Federal Board of Revenue and are under construction at Pakistan's two most prominent border crossings.

The new border terminals will offer world-class facilities, enabling a notable increase in trade volume with Afghanistan, Central Asian states, and other regional countries, Express News reported.

These modern border terminals are expected to bring socio-economic development, benefitting industrial sectors, exporters, importers, and particularly local tribal populations.

Despite multiple challenges during construction, the NLC persevered with these nationally significant projects. These border crossings integrate traditional and advanced computerised systems, designed to expedite the transportation of goods. Once operational, the terminals will handle 2,400 import and export trucks daily, a fivefold increase in current capacity.

Additionally, the import and export yards at the terminals will provide parking for 400 trucks and 100 light vehicles. Modern administrative centres have also been constructed at the terminals.

Government agencies, including Customs, ANF, FIA, Border Rangers, terminal operators, the Plant Protection Department, and Animal Quarantine officials, will perform their duties at these centres. A dedicated business hub for banks, internet services, and clearing agents is also part of the terminals.

Offices for FIA, Customs, Immigration, and other security agencies will handle passenger movement and immigration-related matters. Modern equipment such as gantry scanners, pass-through scanners, under-vehicle scanners, weighing scales, and devices for detecting explosives and narcotics have been installed. Systems for biometric data collection and luggage scanning ensure comprehensive security measures.

Cabinet committee discusses roadmap to boost Gwadar port utilisation

A federal cabinet committee met on Tuesday to discuss a roadmap aimed at enhancing the utilisation of Gwadar Port through public sector imports, with a focus on wheat, fertiliser, and sugar.

The meeting, chaired by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan explored strategies to route 60% of public sector imports through Gwadar Port. The initiative, which includes bulk commodities like wheat, sugar, and urea, is part of a broader effort to position Gwadar as a key trade hub for Pakistan.

Key stakeholders in the meeting included the Maritime Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, along with senior officials from the ministries of Commerce, Maritime Affairs, Interior, and Planning.

The committee was tasked with proposing actionable recommendations to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with the goal of enhancing the strategic role of Gwadar in national and international trade.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, the committee stressed the importance of using Gwadar Port for bulk imports, particularly in the agricultural and fertiliser sectors.