Peshawar: Minister promises dry port at Azakhel

[Naveed Yaseen]

PESHAWAR: Federal Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmad Bilour has pledged to establish a dry port at Azakhel which will provide modern facilities for importers and exporters of the Frontier province.

The minister also assured members of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) that the government would soon make available wagons for the businessmen dealing in Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) at Karachi.

Bilour held out the assurance at a luncheon hosted in his honour by the SCCI here the other day. Provincial Sports and Culture Minister Syed Aqil Shah, SCCI President Sharafat Ali Mubarak, Vice-President Mohammad Ishaq, SCCI Standing Committee on Dry Port Chairman Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi, former presidents of the chamber and present executive members were present on the occasion.

Bilour said he was giving top priority to resolution of problems being faced by the businessmen so that impediments could be removed and economy could flourish.

He urged the businessmen to inform him about their problems frequently, promising measures for their resolution. The minister assured the SCCI members that businessmen dealing in Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) would soon be provided wagons at Karachi after the provision of Bill of Entry.

He warned Railways officials of strict action in case of any complaint. “I have asked Railways employees to work for the betterment of the department because it is in the interest of them and their children.” He said he was working on the project of a shuttle train service from Peshawar to Hayatabad.

SCCI Standing Committee on Dry Port Chairman Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi, speaking on the occasion, praised the minister for reviving the city’s railway booking agencies. He said it had been a longstanding demand of the business community of the province as due to the closure of booking agencies they were facing problems in obtaining train tickets.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=177215