Islamabad, August 04, 2023 (PPI-OT): The 67th meeting of the National Logistics Board (NLB) was held on Thursday. Chaired by Chairman NLB, the honourable Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (PDSI), Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, the meeting was attended by other members of the apex logistics body. Lieutenant General Muhammad Ali, Quartermaster General Pakistan Army / Officer In-Charge (OIC) NLC, and Major General Farrukh Shahzad Rao, Director General NLC, apprised the participants on the operational, administrative and financial matters of the organization.

The Board was apprised of NLC’s regional connectivity initiatives under Transport Internationaux Routiers (TIR), and the bilateral transit trade agreements with China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkey. The Board was informed that NLC has so far completed 14 trips to these countries in past one year while preparations are being made to undertake 2 more trips to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan through China. Earlier this year, 21 trucks of NLC delivered relief goods donated by the Government of Pakistan for the Turkish earthquake victims by road. It was the first ever road transportation of relief goods to any regional country by Pakistan.

Prof. Ahsan Iqbal lauded the performance of NLC and praised the organisation’s contributions towards nation-building activities. He assured that PD and SI will play its role in resolving matters pertaining to issuance of I and E forms by commercial banks to exporters and importers for shipment through Iran. The minister directed NLC management to explore ways and means for all whether operationalization of khunjrab pass for trade with China.

The minister emphasised that3 regional connectivity is key to making Pakistan a hub of transit trade. He instructed NLC to undertake more cargo operations to others Central Asian states via land route. The honourable minister said that his ministry would help expedite the approval process of PC-1 for the border terminals at Ghulam Khan, Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, Gabd and Taftan. He expressed the hope that NLC would continue to make significant contributions in bolstering the country’s economic activities. NLB also approved the budget estimates presented by NLC management for financial year 2023/24.

For more information, contact:

Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives

“P” Block, Pakistan Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan

Tel: +92-51-9209442

Fax: +92-51-9201777

Email: webmanager@pc.gov.pk

Website: https://www.pc.gov.pk/