MULTAN: Muzaffargarh Dry port terminal will be declared as part of ML-I and CPEC project so that it could be completed at the earliest soon and Business Community of South Punjab could get benefit properly from this game changer project.
It was stated by Chief Collector Appraisement Fareed Iqbal Qureshi at luncheon hosted by local exporters, importers, officers of Customs and Regional Tax Office Inland Revenue Multan.
Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi requested Chief Collector Appraisement to extend his full cooperation for the enrichment of export clearance through Multan Dry Port and provide every possible facility for the swift clearance of shipments to attract exporters and importers at Multan Dry Port.
He said that it was a long-standing demand of a business community that Muzaffargarh railway station be declared a dry port terminal to facilitate the exporters and importers of Dera Ghazi Khan and Multan division and to provide them all facilities under one roof.
He said that this multi-pronged project would cost at least Rs200 million but it would be a lucrative point for the Government which would lay golden-eggs in future.
He was optimistic that all traders, importers, exporters and manufacturers would prefer Multan Dry port on Karachi seaport for their businesses if uniform facilities and concessions are provided here.
Roomi said that Muzaffargarh would be a new economic zone of exports and imports in the future. With the elimination of double taxation on imported goods, traders would heave a sigh of relief. Freight train would provide a facility of cheaper transportation of products.
He urged upon the Government to take far-reaching step immediately to resolve the problems confronted by the importer and exporters of South Punjab so that they could stand on their own feet after the ravages of pandemic Coronavirus and they could contribute in country’s tax revenue.
Chief Collector Customs Appraisement Dr.Farid Bubal Qureshi, Divisional Superintendent Railway Shoaib Aadil appreciated the proposal of the host and said it is feasible and applicable. They said that we were fully aware of the hardships and problems faced by the business community of South Punjab and we want to redress their grievances. Both officers vowed to get approve this project by using their good offices. They suggested that Private-Public investment may help in early execution of this project and Private sector would honour his suggestion.
A committee was constituted in the meeting to make this proposal a reality. Due representation was given to Customs, Railway, Dry port trust, importers and exporters in this committee. Jalaluddin Roomi reiterated his demand for early clearance of rebate claims and arrears of dry port.
The luncheon was attended by Customs collector Punjab, Dr.Farid Bubal Qureshi, Commissioner Inland Revenue Nabeela Farhan, Customs Collector Appraisement Faisalabad/Multan, Saima Aftab, Divisional Superintendent Railway Shoaib Aadil, Khawaja Muhammad Younas, President Dera Ghazi Khan Chamber, Khawaja Muhammad Yousaf,Syed Muhammad Ahsan Shah Chairman APBUMA, Muhammad Ahmed Chughtai and Barrister Rehan Khalid Joiya and others.