Isaf/Nato cargo transportation: NLC seeks ''bonded carriers'' problem resolution

The National Logistic Cell (NLC) has requested the Finance Ministry to resolve the bonded carriers'' problem on top priority, which is causing delay in transportation of cargo of ISAF/Nato under Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA). Sources told Business Recorder here on Tuesday that the latest status of the APTTA was taken up by the NLC during a recent meeting with Finance Ministry.
The NLC requested that Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) may be requested to resolve bonded carriers'' problem immediately before the situation gets out of the control. The issue of delay in transportation of cargo of ISAF/ Nato under the APTTA was discussed at length and it was noted that presently the Bonded Carriers do not have requisite fleet of vehicles for transportation of Afghan transit cargo and problem is being faced in the transportation of Afghan transit trade goods. It was brought to the notice of the concerned authorities that it will further complicate the situation and ISAF/Nato supply will also be affected.
The ATTA and US/ISAF Cargo is being accumulated at Karachi port. The congestion is experienced and delay is frequently reported to the authorities. In this regard, the routes designated by Ministry of Commence for transit of commercial cargo are different from those designated in relevant SRO. The situation further showed that the problem of ISAF/US cargo is being addressed on day-to-day basis instead of evolving an appropriate mechanism for its transportation.
The meeting decided that the FBR may be requested to resolve Bonded Carriers'' problem immediately before situation gets out of control. It is recommended that approved Regulatory Committee, headed by Secretary planning and development, may be convened immediately.
Details of the new agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan show that the APTTA- 2010 has been effective from 13 June 2011 with the issuance of SRO 601 (1)/2011 by FBR. The desired arrangements to safeguard of Pakistan security and economic interests are not in place so far.