Latest news with #NationalLogisticsCell
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan provides shorter trade route for Central Asia: Aleem
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan emphasised the need to focus on enhancing trade with Russia and Central Asian states, noting that Pakistan provides a shorter and more strategic trade route for the region. The federal minister made these remarks while chairing a joint session with the National Logistics Cell (NLC) and the National Highways Authority (NHA) and during a meeting with NLC Director General Maj Gen Farrukh Shehzad Rao. Abdul Aleem Khan underscored the importance of a unified platform involving relevant ministries and institutions to drive trade facilitation and corridor connectivity. He appreciated the NLC's vital role in promoting trade and acknowledged its commendable services towards national development. During the session, DG NLC Maj Gen Farrukh Shehzad Rao briefed the Federal Minister for Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, on the organisation's performance and upcoming projects. The NHA chairman and senior officials also highlighted areas of mutual cooperation between the two institutions. In a separate high-level review meeting chaired by Aleem Khan, discussions were held on the NHA's Annual Maintenance Plan. The meeting approved maintenance, lighting and fencing projects for the Gujranwala Bypass, Tarnol-Kohat Road and Kamra Cantonment Road. The federal minister directed that all future NHA maintenance schemes must be approved by the authorised forum. He emphasised that the approval process should be fully transparent with cost-effectiveness, adherence to quality standards, and long-term utility as guiding principles. Aleem Khan reiterated that the primary goal is to enhance travel convenience for the public and ensure that National Highways are as comfortable and efficient as possible. He added that NHA officers must focus solely on improving performance and noted a marked improvement under the authority's new team. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
18-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Kazan Forum: Pakistan identifies six potential trade corridors
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has identified six potential trade corridors connecting Central Asia, Europe, and Russia through China, Afghanistan and Iran. These include road networks from Karachi to Moscow via China and Kazakhstan, from Gwadar to Moscow via Afghanistan and through Turkmenistan and Iran to Azerbaijan and Russia. Addressing the closing session of the Kazan Forum, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan stated that Pakistan does not merely aspire to serve as a transit point between South Asia and Central Asia, but rather aims to function as an economic bridge. He emphasized that Pakistan has been actively engaged in regional cooperation through various agreements signed in recent years and including proactive participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). He highlighted that the Mazar-e-Sharif to Kohat Railway Project is expected to cost approximately $633 million. Russia invites PM to attend 'Russia-Islamic World: Kazan Forum' Abdul Aleem Khan pointed out that Gwadar Port has already started shipment and cargo services while Pakistan intends to facilitate Central Asia's access to warm waters. Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan reiterated Pakistan's deep interest in enhancing North-South connectivity in the Communications Sector. He said that in Pakistan Sukkur, Hyderabad Motorway M-6 is a focal project for good investment. Federal Minister further noted that since 2023, the National Logistics Cell (NLC) has been providing cargo services to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Moreover, in August last year, Pakistan introduced Visa-On-Arrival facilities for citizens of 126 countries to promote trade and investment. In his address, Federal Minister for Communications elaborated on Pakistan's strategic plans to connect Karachi, Quetta, and Gwadar with Central Asia and Europe through road networks. He also revealed ongoing work on a pilot project for a Railway line to Russia via Iran. Abdul Aleem Khan welcomed the holding of the Kazan Forum and reaffirmed Pakistan's strong commitment to playing an active role in regional development. He expressed gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for hosting the Forum and extended his appreciation to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin and Minister of Transport Roman Starovoyt for their hospitality. On the sidelines of the forum, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan held a bilateral meeting and joint session with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, accompanied by their respective delegations. Discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors with particular emphasis on investments in the Communications Sectors were focused. Federal Minister expressed Pakistan's strong interest in developing a broad-based partnership with Russia. Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin underscored Russia's desire for comprehensive regional development and mutual collaboration. He welcomed Pakistan's participation in the Kazan Forum and expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation with Pakistan in economic, cultural, and other fields. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
18-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Kazan Forum: Six potential trade corridors identified
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has identified six potential trade corridors connecting Central Asia, Europe, and Russia through China, Afghanistan and Iran. These include road networks from Karachi to Moscow via China and Kazakhstan, from Gwadar to Moscow via Afghanistan and through Turkmenistan and Iran to Azerbaijan and Russia. Addressing the closing session of the Kazan Forum, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan stated that Pakistan does not merely aspire to serve as a transit point between South Asia and Central Asia but rather aims to function as an economic bridge. He emphasized that Pakistan has been actively engaged in regional cooperation through various agreements signed in recent years and including proactive participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). He highlighted that the Mazar-e-Sharif to Kohat Railway Project is expected to cost approximately $633 million. Russia invites PM to attend 'Russia-Islamic World: Kazan Forum' Abdul Aleem Khan pointed out that Gwadar Port has already started shipment and cargo services while Pakistan intends to facilitate Central Asia's access to warm waters. Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan reiterated Pakistan's deep interest in enhancing North-South connectivity in the Communications Sector. He said that in Pakistan Sukkur, Hyderabad Motorway M-6 is a focal project for good investment. Federal Minister further noted that since 2023, the National Logistics Cell (NLC) has been providing cargo services to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Moreover, in August last year, Pakistan introduced Visa-On-Arrival facilities for citizens of 126 countries to promote trade and investment. In his address, Federal Minister for Communications elaborated on Pakistan's strategic plans to connect Karachi, Quetta, and Gwadar with Central Asia and Europe through road networks. He also revealed ongoing work on a pilot project for a Railway line to Russia via Iran. Abdul Aleem Khan welcomed the holding of the Kazan Forum and reaffirmed Pakistan's strong commitment to playing an active role in regional development. He expressed gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for hosting the Forum and extended his appreciation to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin and Minister of Transport Roman Starovoyt for their hospitality. On the sidelines of the forum, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan held a bilateral meeting and joint session with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, accompanied by their respective delegations. Discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors with particular emphasis on investments in the Communications Sectors were focused. Federal Minister expressed Pakistan's strong interest in developing a broad-based partnership with Russia. Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin underscored Russia's desire for comprehensive regional development and mutual collaboration. He welcomed Pakistan's participation in the Kazan Forum and expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation with Pakistan in economic, cultural, and other fields. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
16-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Afghan trucks allowed into India via Wagah
Despite ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India, five Afghan transit trade trucks, laden with Afghan dry fruits and driven by Pakistani drivers, crossed into India via the Wagah-Attari border, sources said on Friday. The trucks, the sources said, had been stationed at the border under the supervision of the National Logistics Cell (NLC) for several weeks, awaiting clearance to proceed. They crossed the border after the Indian government issued a 24-hour entry permit. Pakistan allowed the trucks to proceed at the Afghan government's request, they said. The Afghan government had requested Pakistan to allow passage to 150 trucks, carrying dry fruits, to India via the Wagah border after India closed the border last month amid escalating tensions. On May 1, Pakistan granted conditional approval for these trucks to transit to India. However, the process was delayed because of the issuance of entry permits by the Indian authorities. Further delays ensued due to border skirmishes and heightened tensions between the two countries.
