From Our Correspondent
PESHAWAR, August 17: A delegation of Pakistan Thursday paid a day long visit to Afghanistan for attending border committee meeting held regularly on fortnight basis for improving effective liaison and coordination for smooth operation of bilateral and transit trade on both sides of the border.
The fifteen member delegation was headed by Director Transit Customs Department, Arbab Qaiser Hameed.
Additional Director Transit Trade, Shams Wazir, Additional Collector Appraisement, Muhammad Rizwan, Deputy Collector Appraisement, Mohib Khan and Director Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi were also part of the delegation.
Raees Gumrak (Customs) Nangarhar Province, Haji Fazle Hadi received the delegation on arrival at Afghanistan.
The participants of the meeting discussed different issues including pendency in clearance of goods and presented different suggestion for resolution of problems.
Speaking on the occasion, Director PAJCCI, Zia ul Haq Sarhadi demanded taking stake holders into confidence on 2010 agreement of Transit Trade which is facing delay in implementation.
He demanded to make new Transit Trade Agreement of 2010 operational at the earliest otherwise business community will face a lot of problems.
Zia demanded provision of loose cargo transportation in train which is not allowed. Transportation of containers on truck is very expensive and putting extra financial burden on businessmen, he added.
He appreciated holding of flag meeting at border which not only allows stakeholders of Afghan transit trade to meet but also share problems and hurdles they face in smooth sailing of transit trade.
The representative from Afghan side demanded increase in permission to number of attendants with patients. They said only one attendant is allowed with the patient and government should allow a couple of more blood relations to arrive and give due time to the patient.
They also demanded expediting visa issuance process and suggestion was also presented to constitute a liaison committee like that one formed in Ministry of Commerce for resolution of issues on early basis.
The Consul General of Afghanistan should also arrange a meeting of businessmen on fortnight basis to take a review of issues being faced by them.
A demand was also made in the meeting to allow a cleaner along with drive of the truck on basis of visit permit.
The participants observed that only driver cannot handle truck in case of any problem and a cleaner be allowed for his assistance without getting visa.
The authorities of National Logistic Cell (NLC) were also requested to expedite work on construction of new terminal at Torkhem to ensure speedy passage and clearance of goods laden trucks.
The participants of the meeting were assured regarding coordination with Transit staff about clearing of pendency of T-1 documents. Afghan official informed that more than 25000 T-1 documents are cleared and work on remaining are on progress.
