PESHAWAR: The business community has demanded the restoration of the Peshawar-Karachi export cargo train and speedy clearance of goods at the Azakhel Dry Port to benefit its members.

The demand was made by the standing committee of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry on railways and dry port during a meeting here on Saturday with SCCI chairman Ziaul Haq Sarhadi in the chair.

The committee also called for pragmatic steps to make the Azakhel Dry Port fully functional and end restrictions on loose cargo, according to a statement.

The participants discussed issues of their community and urged the federal government to consult stakeholders before taking policy decisions on imports and exports.

SCCI also calls for speedy goods clearance at Azakhel Dry Port

Mr Sarhadi complained about a lack of facilities at the Azakhel Dry Port and said it had increased the problems of the business community.

He said the Azakhel Dry Port was established over 28 acres of land at the cost of Rs600 million but had lost its importance due to a lack of facilities.

The SCCI chairman said the business community faced many problems due to the dual checking and clearing goods consignments, destuffing and payment of enhanced demurrage charges, and slow process of export cargo trucks.

The meeting was attended by SCCI Standing Committee on Carpet Export Mazharul Haq, Additional Director of the Transit Trade Directorate Custom House Peshawar Salman Wazir, Custom Station Torkham Appraisement Deputy Collector Mohib Khan, Pakistan Railways Commercial Inspector Siddique Tanoli, Anti-Narcotics Forces Assistant Director Shams Shaukat, members of business community, and other relevant officials.

Mr Sarhadi demanded the resumption of export cargo trains from Peshawar to Karachi and the revival of Goods in Transit to Afghanistan service.

He said Pakistan Railways had played a pivotal role in both cargo and passenger traveling but the service of passenger trains had been reduced from Peshawar, while the city railway booking agency was also closed in Peshawar to the suffering of people travelling between Peshawar and Karachi.

The SCCI chairman said the Railways Advisory Committee was established to take decisions with the consent of the business community.

He demanded the clearing of export goods trucks under a one-window operation to speed up the export process and avoid multiple checks by various departments, especially ANF.

Mr Sarhadi called for the abolition of SRO-121 and the loose cargo permission.

On the occasion, Mazharul Haq of the SCCI Standing Committee on Carpet Export apprised participants of the issues of the business community.

Participants said they hoped that newly-appointed FBR chairman and other officials would address the issues of the business community.

Senior officials of the Pakistan Railways, Customs and ANF said they would take up their issues with authorities for early and effective resolution.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2023