ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal directed the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) to focus on expanding the Sost Dry Port and establishing the Khunjerab border terminal as a strategic hub to promote Pakistan’s exports and strengthen regional trade connectivity.
The Minister, who is also Chairman of the NLB, gave these directions while chairing a meeting of the National Logistics Board (NLB) held here on Tuesday.
Quartermaster General Pakistan Army/Officer In-Charge, NLC and Director General, NLC briefed the Board on the organization’s operational, administrative and financial matters.
The Board was briefed on notable achievements of the organization in advancing regional connectivity with particular emphasis on the diversification of export options for Pakistani products and the establishment of Forward Transit Trade Hubs at Serhatabat (Turkmenistan), Termez (Uzbekistan) and Kashgar (China). The Board was further informed of new initiatives of NLC aimed at strengthening logistics infrastructure and enhancing value addition and export of agricultural products.
During the 68th Board Meeting of the NLC, the Minister also emphasized the need to establish a state-of-the-art driving academy aligned with international standards to train skilled drivers capable of meeting global market demands. He further stressed that trainees should be equipped with foreign language skills to facilitate effective communication and coordination with counterparts, particularly in the context of cross-border trade and logistics under CPEC.
He further stated that logistics is no longer merely about moving goods from one place to another; it is the backbone of a competitive economy, the foundation of resilient supply chains, and a strategic enabler of national security and sustainable development. Countries that have transformed their economies have done so by reducing the cost and time of doing business through efficient transport, multimodal connectivity, digital logistics, and seamless trade facilitation. For Pakistan, improving logistics is not simply a sectoral reform; it is a national economic imperative. As we pursue the goals of URAAN Pakistan, particularly export-led growth, industrial competitiveness, and regional connectivity, an efficient, integrated, and technology-driven logistics ecosystem will be indispensable.
The Minister said that today’s meeting provided us an opportunity to review our progress, address bottlenecks with urgency, and align our collective efforts to build a logistics system that supports higher exports, attracts investment, strengthens regional trade, and positions Pakistan as a leading connectivity hub linking South Asia, Central Asia, China, and the Middle East.
He also commended NLC’s performance and acknowledged its leading role in the modernization and transformation of the logistics sector of Pakistan.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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