KHYBER: The customs border terminal at Torkham will start full operation by the end of next year, according to officials of National Logistic Cell (NLC).

Although the idea of setting up the much needed terminal was conceived in 2003, yet construction work was delayed till 2015 due to security situation in the region and also a row over acquisition of land, owned by Khugakhel sub-tribe of Landi Kotal, for the project.

The construction work, when finally started seven years ago, faced many hurdles and delays owing to protests by Khugakhel tribe against the terms and conditions for acquisition of the required land.

The new terminal will have a cumulative parking facility for at least 500 vehicles to minimise traffic mess on Peshawar-Torkham Highway.

“The terminal, which will be of an international standard and will provide all the basic facilities to traders, transporters and customs officials, will be completed and fully operational by the end of 2023,” Abdul Aziz Khattak, general manager of NLC at Torkham, told Dawn.

The facility will help enhance trade with Afghanistan, CARs

Explaining the salient features of the terminal, he said that under the procedure, custom clearance of loaded vehicles would be carried out under a one-window system while goods declaration (GD) procedure could be performed through internet under the web-based one customs system by the importers and exporters from any parts of the country or abroad.

“The terminal is also designed to offer rapid passenger immigration process, efficient cargo checking and handling alongside e-lanes for even faster clearance and a sufficiently large parking space for at least 500 trucks awaiting clearance,” he said.

Mr Khattak said that the new terminal would have five new scanning machines instead of the two operating presently. He said that installation of new machines would not only expedite the scanning of the loaded vehicles but would also save transporters and traders from incurring undue demurrage charges.

He said that there would be offices for customs officials and clearing agents while NLC would handle the responsibility of providing fork-lifters, cranes, godowns and bathrooms in a more professional way.

“NLC, which has been granted the contract for construction of the terminal, will assume its charge on its completion to provide technical and administrative assistance to all the stakeholders,” said Mr Khattak.

He said that provision of water, ceiling fans, electricity, parking spaces, sitting places and storage facility to all and sundry would also come under the ambit of NLC.

The official expressed his optimism that alongside multiplying the quantum of bilateral trade with Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics via Torkham, the new terminal would also help in creation of more jobs and employment opportunities for local tribal youth.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2022