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PESHAWAR, Nov 04 (APP):Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry has renewed its demand for restoration of export cargo train from Peshawar, equalizing freight rates with parts of the country as well as making the Azakhel dryport fully functional.
The demand was made by SCCI senior vice president Muhammad Nadeem Rauf during a meeting with Divisional Superintendent of Railways Peshawar Division Farman Ghani and here at the chamber house on Tuesday.
The meeting was attended by Chairman of the chamber’ standing committee on Railways and Dryport, Frontier Custom Agents Association President and senior executive member of the SCCI Ziaul Haq Sarhadi, executive member Adnan Nasir, and Secretary General Muqtasid Ahsan.
The meeting emphasized revival of Goods in transit to Afghanistan GITA from Peshawar, abolishment of SRO-121, increase in number of passenger trains, reduction in fares rates, reactivation of Railways Advisor Committees, establishment of merchant room for customs agents in dryport, revival of Safari train, maintenance of Railways Crossing and other associated matters.
SVP Muhammad Nadeem stated Railways are the most cost-efficient mode of transport goods but cargo trains from Peshawar had suspended since a decade, which has caused elevating miseries of the traders and exporters, calling for immediate steps to revive it.
The senior office bearer raised concerns over high Railways freight rates and stressed for bringing them at par with other parts of the country.
He mentioned the current state of the Azakhel Dryport and asserted pragmatic steps to make it fully functional to facilitate traders and exporters.
Muhammad Nadeem also took up issues related to Railways in Industrial Estate Hayatabad Peshawar, especially missing link under BRT Bridge and called for proactive measures to resolve them immediately.
Ziaul Haq Sarhadi in his remarks touched upon the several issues, especially about the Azakhel Dry-port, which had been established on 28 acre lands with cost Rs 600 Million has lost its importance owing to lack of facilities.
He demanded resumption of export cargo trains from Peshawar to Karachi, revival of GITA service, reactivation of Railways Advisor Committees, abolishment of SRO-121 to allow loose cargo.
Sarhadi also took up issues regarding dual checking and clearing goods consignments, de-stuffing and payment of demurrage charges and slow process of export cargo trucks.
DS Farman Ghani, who was accompanied by Divisional Commercial Officer Peshawar Division Dr. Abida Maryam Lodhi, and Deputy Director Property and Land Shahnawaz Khan, assured the meeting that the issues that were came under discussion will be taken up higher officials and would resolve them amicable.
He assured the number of Khushal Khan Khattak trains would be increased to facilitate the passengers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.