TDAP urged to help ensure facilities at Azakhel Dryport

PESHAWAR: The business community representatives have asked the Pakistan Trade Development Authority (TDAP) KP to help ensure facilities at Azakhel Dryport.

“The Azakhel Dry Port, which was established three years ago with a hefty amount, is rapidly losing identity for lack of facilities,” said Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry Coordinator Ziaul Haq Sarhadi when he met newly appointed Director General, TDAP KP, Noman Bashir in his office. He was accompanied by Shuja Muhammad, Khalid Shahzad and Imtiaz Ali.

Sarhadi demanded the resumption of export cargo train service from Peshawar to Karachi. He said major industries of gems, marble, handicraft, honey, carpet, furniture and safety match existed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“After the closure of the export cargo trains from Peshawar, the export goods are loaded onto private trucks and then dispatched to Karachi port for onward export to other destinations. This is causing great difficulties for the business community and also revenue loss to the Pakistan Railways due to suspension of the export cargo train service from Peshawar,” he explained.

Sarhadi urged TDAP KP DG Noman Bashir to play a role in the resolution of the business community issues. He welcomed the appointment of DG TDAP in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but suggested that it should be made on a permanent basis.

The business body coordinator said the position of TDAP KP DG was abolished in 2016, which has been restored now on a temporary basis due to the efforts of TDAP Chief Executive Zubair Motiwala.

Sarhadi said the newly appointed head of TDAP KP belonged to KP and would play a role in resolving issues faced by the business community. DG TDAP KP Noman Bashir assured he would take up these issues with relevant institutions.