ISLAMABAD: Despite many requests made by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Model Customs Collectorate, Peshawar to Ministry of Railways for establishing a dry port at Azakhel, the matter is still pending with the ministry, it is learnt.
In pursuance of recommendations of Standing Committee on Commerce, the collectorate took up the matter with Pakistan Railways and FBR for establishing dry port at Pir Piai Railway Station, Azakhel, sources said.
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The requests for want of provision of basic infrastructure and approval of PC-1 have not been realised by the ministry concerned so far.
Now as evidence, Ministry of Railway is going to resume transportation of transit trade goods from Karachi to Peshawar, while the FBR also constitute a committee for formation of proper mechanism and procedure in this regards, the sources added.
It is also learnt that the railway authorities intended to utilise the Peshawar Cantt Railway station for handling transit goods at Peshawar. However, the sources pointed out that existing Peshawar Dry Port was located at Peshawar Cantt and available space and other facilities were insufficient to meet the requirement of import and export consignments.
“If handling of transit goods is resumed at this railway station, the importers and exporters will face great hardship in clearance of their consignments,” the sources expressed concerns.
They further said, “The Board of FBR is requested to take up the matter with Ministry of Railway that before carrying on of transit trade at Railway Station Peshawar Cantt, existing Dry port may be shifted to Azakhel.
Meanwhile, the Customs Agents Association welcomed the efforts of collectorate and FBR to shifting the dry port from Peshawar Cantt to Azakhel. Due to lack of facilities at Peshawar Dry Port, exporters are loading their goods in private trucks and paying customs duty in Karachi for foreign countries.
