Resumption of export cargo train service demanded

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Business leaders from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have called for the resumption of the export cargo train from Peshawar to Karachi.

At a meeting here, the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) also asked the authorities to make Azakhel dry port functional, accelerate the goods clearing process and lift restrictions on loose cargo.

Ziaul Haq Sarhadi, head of the SCCI Standing Committee on Railways and Dry Port, chaired the meeting at the chamber’s office.

Sarhadi informed participants of reservations regarding inadequate facilities at the Azakhel Dry Port, set up on 28 acres of land at a cost of Rs600 million.

He said businesspeople faced problems due to dual checks and clearance of consignments, de-stuffing and payment of demurrage charges, as well as the slow process of checking export cargo trucks.

Sarhadi underlined the need for the resumption of the export cargo train service between Peshawar and Karachi and the revival of Goods in Transit to Afghanistan (GITA) service.

Pakistan Railways, Customs and ANF representatives promised they would take up the issues at the central level and try to address them soon.

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