Sarhad Chamber demands dry port in Peshawar

The Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Standing Committee Chairman on Railways and Dry Port Ziaul-Haq Sarhadi has demanded of the government to establish a full-pledged modern dry port in Peshawar for promoting country's export to Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics.
In a press release issued here on Friday, Sarhadi said Peshawar was considered as 'Gate Way' to Central Asia and urged on the government to take measures for facilitating exporters to revive the past glory of the city.
Ziaul - Haq Sarhadi said the present dry port was established on temporary basis which provided very limited facilities to importers and exporters.
Regarding problems at the Peshawar dry port he said, it was short of space because of which the businessmen face difficulties in loading and unloading the goods. Most of the goods lying under open sky creating problem of theft and also damage in case of rain.
He said the port also lacked official crane and the businessmen had been left with no option other than to pay exorbitant amount to the private crane owners. He also demanded for repair of the dry port roof to save goods from the rains.
Sarhadi, who is also chairman of the Frontier Customs Agents Group, called for the establishment of Pakistan Railways, Customs and clearing agents offices to enable them to perform their duties properly. Similarly, one merchant room and an examination hall should have also been established at the dry port.
Zia said earlier, Railways provided Watch and Ward squad for export cargo, but now the facility had been suspended for unknown reasons.
He also demanded running of special cargo train from Peshawar twice in a week so those export goods could reach Karachi in time.
He called for the computerisation of Pakistan Railways network so that any hindrance in the journey of cargo trains could be removed instantly and exporters could be informed in time about the location of their goods.
Sarhadi, who is also member of the Pakistan Railways Advisory Committee, called for the abolition of 'Safe Transportation Scheme' under which authorised transporters were allowed to shift goods from bonded houses to one city and other. Such transporters, he said, were fleecing traders by demanding excessive amount for service.