KARACHI: The Directorate General of Transit Trade is all set to start transportation of transit cargo through railway from Karachi to Torkham/Chaman Customs Stations.
Talking to Customs Today, Transit Trade Director General Khawar Farid Maneka disclosed that paperwork in this regard has been completed and arrangements are being finalised for transportation of transit cargo from Karachi to Peshawar, Torkham and Chaman where trans-shipment facilities will be provided for its onward journey across the Durand Line.
He further said that from these stations the cargo would be offloaded from the railway bogies and loaded in truck for crossing the border.
It may be mentioned here that the transit of Afghan (commercial/non-commercial & US/NATO/ISAF) FCL cargo had previously been carried out by Pakistan Railways in One-Customs system. While recently, the Pakistan Railways has expressed its desire to transport transit goods through Railway to Torkham/Chaman Customs Stations in WeBOC system.
The authorities examined the issue of transportation of transit trade cargo through Railway in the light of Article 13 of Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement, 2010, which provides for movement of Afghan Transit cargo through Railway. SRO 121 (I)/2014 also include Pakistan Railways as one of the transport operators for transportation of transit goods.
In this view, the business process of Transit of Afghan FCL Cargo from Karachi to Torkham/Chaman Customs stations was required, which had been prepared and submitted to Directorate of Transit Trade for further development in WeBOC system.
Initially, the facility to load LCL (Less Than Container Load) cargo should not be allowed owing to high risk of en-route pilferage. The Pakistan Railway has expressed its preparedness to start its operations having requisite locomotives.
It is also explored by Customs Today that Pakistan Railway has sufficient flatbed trains carrying transit cargo from Karachi to Torkham-Chaman, whereas, 1-2 trains carrying 100 containers per day will reduce the time and cost for transit trade cargo.
Moreover, competitive rates for movement of containers will be offered by Pakistan Railway. Around 5-7 days running time between Karachi to Torkham-Chaman for a loaded rolling vehicle will be taken. In short, transportation of transit cargo through railways will provide a competitive environment, so the cost of doing business wills decrease- thus providing an incentive for transit via Pakistan.
