ISLAMABAD: Pakistan dispatched its first convoy of commercial goods from its southern port city of Karachi to Central Asia through the partnership between the state-owned National Logistics Corporation (NLC) and UAE-based DP World firm, state media reported on Wednesday.
The development takes place days after Pakistan and DP World finalized terms for a freight corridor project from Karachi Port to the Pipri Marshalling yard in southern Pakistan.
The Karachi Freight Corridor is an infrastructure project in Pakistan aimed at improving the movement of freight from Karachi, the country’s largest city, to various parts of the country. The project involves the construction of a dedicated double-track corridor and other related facilities that will run 50 km from Karachi port to the Pipri marshalling yard.
“The first convoy carrying commercial goods has been dispatched from Karachi to Central Asia through the partnership between NLC and DP World,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
It added that senior officials from DP World and NLC, as well as prominent business figures attended the launch event.
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, DP World’s group chairman and CEO, said the strategic position of NLC in the region and DP World’s global presence will provide vast business opportunities and strengthen economic activities.
“The Director-General of NLC said this initiative will have far-reaching effects on regional trade and will be immensely beneficial for the business community of the region,” state media reported.
Pakistan has reached out to regional allies, especially Gulf countries, to bolster trade and foreign investment in recent months. Pakistan and the UAE last year signed two inter-governmental framework agreements to establish a dedicated rail freight corridor and economic zone near Karachi.
The agreements cover plans for over $3 billion investments in railways, economic zones and infrastructure. DP World will act on behalf of Dubai, while the Pakistan Railways and Port Qasim Authority will act on behalf of Pakistan.
Pakistan dispatches goods convoy to Central Asia through partnership with Dubai’s DP World
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Pakistan dispatches goods convoy to Central Asia through partnership with Dubai’s DP World
- Pakistan and DP World this week finalized terms for freight corridor project from Karachi to country’s southwest
- DP World CEO says partnership to provide vast business opportunities and strengthen regional economic activities
Customs seize narcotics, smuggled goods, vehicles worth $4.9 million in southwest Pakistan
- Customs seize 22.14 kg narcotics, consignments of smuggled betel nuts, Hino trucks, auto parts, says FBR
- Smuggled goods enter Pakistan’s Balochistan province from neighboring countries Iran and Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Customs seized narcotics, smuggled goods and vehicles worth a total of Rs1.38 billion [$4.92 million] in the southwestern Balochistan province on Tuesday, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said in a statement.
Customs Enforcement Quetta seized and recovered 22.14 kilograms of narcotics and consignments of smuggled goods comprising betel nuts, Indian medicines, Chinese salt, auto parts, a ROCO vehicle and three Hino trucks in two separate operations, the FBR said. All items cost an estimated Rs1.38 billion, it added.
Smuggled items make their way into Pakistan through southwestern Balochistan province, which borders Iran and Afghanistan.
“These operations are part of the collectorate’s intensified enforcement drive aimed at curbing smuggling and dismantling illegal trade networks,” the FBR said.
“All the seized narcotics, goods and vehicles have been taken into custody, and legal proceedings under the Customs Act 1969 have been formally initiated.”
In the first operation, customs officials intercepted three containers during routine checking at FEU Zariat Cross (ZC) area. The containers were being transported from Quetta to Pakistan’s Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, the FBR said.
The vehicles intercepted included three Hino trucks. Their detailed examination led to the recovery of the smuggled goods which were concealed in the containers.
In the second operation, the staff of the Collectorate of Enforcement Customs, Quetta, intercepted a ROCO vehicle at Zariat Cross area with the local police’s assistance.
The driver was interrogated while the vehicle was searched, the FBR said.
“During interrogation, it was disclosed that drugs were concealed inside the spare wheel at the bottom side of the vehicle,” it said.
“Upon thorough checking, suspected narcotics believed to be heroin was recovered which was packed in 41 packets, each weighing 0.54 kilograms.”
The narcotics weighed a total of 22.14 kilograms, with an estimated value of Rs1.23 billion in the international market, the FBR concluded.
“The Federal Board of Revenue has commended the Customs Enforcement Quetta team for their effective action and reiterated its firm resolve to combat smuggling, illicit trade and illegal economic activities across the country,” it said.
