PESHAWAR: Collector Customs at Gilgit-Baltistan Muhammad Ali Raza has celebrated 70th Independence Day of Pakistan on August 14, 2017 with full enthusiasm and spirit at Sust Dry Port on Pakistan-China border.
For the purpose, a special function was arranged at Pakistan-China border which was participated by Additional Deputy Collector Asdaq Afzal, Inspector Customs Saleem, Inspector Mumtaz and other customs officials deputed at Sust Dry Port.
To celebrate the day, a cake cutting ceremony was carried out after which the Collector Ali Raza Khan addressed to the gathering. He said, “We should be proud of our country as no nation in the world has ever become sovereign without achieving a state of their own.”
He said Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his counter partners have sacrificed for achievement of the country now its upon our youth to take the responsibilities on their shoulders in order to protect the country from evil doers.
He added that Pakistan is situated on a very important corner of the world where it share borders with few of most populated countries. It’s very vital for us as a nation to understand the challenges been faced by our country.
He further said that the role of Pakistan Customs is very crucial in the internationalization of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the collector maintained that the Pakistan Customs is the main stakeholder of the CPEC programme due to its unique professional capabilities regarding the trade facilitation.
He said that China’s “One Belt, One Road” (OBOR) initiative is a mega infrastructure development programme that is witnessing an unprecedented level of investment from China to boost the integrated economic growth in the region of which Gilgit-Baltistan is the gateway.
He added that Pakistan China Friendship has entered in to a new era of development and prosperity. He lauded the mutual cooperation between two countries and said that it will help Pakistan to become economically stable.
He lauded the role of Customs officials on duty at Sost Dry Port and said that the capacity of the Customs station at Gilgit will increase once after complete operationalization of China Pakistan Economic Corridor. He termed that the collection of revenue has increased in FY 2016-2017 as compared to FY 2015-2016 and in the current FY it would further increase to surpass the revenue targets of previous years.
At the end Pray was made for prosperity of country and Collector Customs meet with Customs officials and inquired about them. He also appreciated the arrangement which were made to mark the Independence Day.
