NLB meeting discusses bilateral transit trade agreements with China, others

Islamabad: The National Logistics Board (NLB) held its 67th meeting, chaired by NLB Chairman and Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal and received a briefing on the NLC’s regional connectivity initiatives under Transport Internationaux Routiers (TIR) and the bilateral transit trade agreements with China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkiye.

Lieutenant General Muhammad Ali and Major General Farrukh Shahzad Rao from the National Logistics Cell (NLC ) provided information about the organization’s operational, administrative, and financial matters.

The NLC has successfully completed 14 trips to the mentioned countries in the past year, and preparations were underway for two more trips to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan through China.

Earlier that year, Pakistan’s NLC sent 21 trucks carrying relief goods for the Turkish earthquake victims, marking the country’s first-ever road transportation of relief goods to a regional country.

Minister Ahsan Iqbal commended the NLC’s performance and contributions to nation-building activities.

He assured his ministry’s support in resolving issues related to the issuance of “I & E forms” by commercial banks for exporters and importers dealing with Iran.

The minister also urged the NLC to explore all-weather operationalization of the Khunjrab Pass for trade with China, emphasizing regional connectivity as vital for making Pakistan a hub of transit trade. Additionally, he encouraged the NLC to undertake more cargo operations to other Central Asian states via land routes.

The minister pledged to expedite the approval process for PC-1 related to border terminals at Ghulam Khan, Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, Gabd, and Taftan. He expressed hope that the NLC would continue contributing significantly to the country’s economic activities.

Later, the NLB approved the budget estimates presented by the NLC management for the financial year 2023-24.