PESHAWAR: A meeting of the Pak-Afghan liaison committee held to discuss different issues causing impediments in smooth sailing of bilateral trade and promotion of commercial activities in the region.
The meeting was held at Model Custom Collectorate Peshawar with Director Directorate of Transit Trade, Arbab Qaiser Hameed in chair.
According to a press release, the meeting was attended by members of Pak-Afghan Liaison Committee including Director Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce (PAJCCI) Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi, former SVP Sarhad Chamber, Engr Manzoor Elahi, President Khyber Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi, VP Frontier Custom Agents Association, Imtiaz Ahmad Ali, Commercial Attaché Afghan Consulate, Waheedullah Himmat, Deputy Attaché, Hameed Fazil Khel and others.
Speaking to the participants, Director PAJCCI, Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi raised points that goods checking by different departments are causing delay in clearance of containers which is creating a lot of problems for businessmen.
Apart from it, Zia continued, clearance of containers at Karachi seaport takes more than ten days, resulting in infliction of demurrage and detention charges.
Zia said despite issuance of notification regarding Cross Stuffing of containers in Karachi, the decision is not implemented as a result of which containers are going to Afghanistan and take a lot of time in reaching back, forcing businessmen to pay extra money under the head of detention charges.
The participants of the meeting also demanded permission for transportation of Afghan Transit trade goods in railway besides its shifting in a bonded carrier.
They also demanded approval for filing of GD at Azakhel Dry Port so that the custom clearing agents of KP should continue their business.
Replying to the demands made in the meeting, Director Transit Trade, Arbab Qaiser Hameed said that he is well aware of problems being faced by the business community.
Arbab Qaiser who is also Chairman of the Liaison committee assured his full cooperation to the business community and said decisions will be taken with mutual coordination and consultation.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2023