Trade activities boosted since launch of operation at border: PM's Aide

Advisor to Prime Minister on Establishment, Muhammad Shehzad Arbab has said the trade and economic activities have boosted up since launch of 24/7 operation at Torkham border as he claimed Rs50 million exports have enhanced during last three months.

After opening of 24/7 operation at Torkham border, PM Aide disclosed that government is going to keep open the Chaman and Taftan borders for around the clock. Furthermore, he vowed that all facilities would be provided at Customs stations across the country.

Shehzad Arbab said that the Pakistan is presently going through difficult economic situations. He said prices of essential food commodities have increased due to increase in dollar rates. "We will bring reforms, which would definitely create difficulties, PM advisor said. But, he noted that the progress was impossible without reforms.

He was addressing a function in connection with International Customs Day at Model Customs Collectorate Peshawar other day. Collector Appraisement, Ihsan Ali Shah, Collector Preventative Asif Saeed Lughmani, Customs Intelligence Director Arshad Habib, Transit Trade Director Faiz Ali, Member National Assembly Arbab Sher Ali, Nasir Khan Musazai, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Acting President, Shahid Hussain, Senator Nauman Wazir, former senator Ilyas Ahmad Bilour, former Chief Commissioner Income Tax Jehanzeb Mehmood and Ziaul Haq Sarhadi along with customs officials were present on the occasion.

Shehzad Arbab said that a close liaison is being established with Customs department during last six months, which was aimed at to keep open Torkham border for around the clock. He said the Customs had played pivotal role in eradication of smuggling as no one will be denied it.

He said the government had taken small initiative about Torkham border, but we are receiving large number of the benefit of it. He said the government plans to deploy custom staffs at Angora Adda in order to give benefit to national exchequer. He said two new customs stations have opened recently fully equipped with modern facilities.

Shehzad said the government is going to take steps to end unnecessary regulations in collaboration with World Bank and work on the project which has been initiated in many places, besides we must take foreign investors into confidence so there is need to end strict regulations to attract foreign investments in the country.

He viewed that other countries are providing maximum facilities to foreign investors. He informed that the recruitment of over 300 staff at Torkham border has been sanctioned. Similarly, he said 2,000 people will be recruited in Federal Board of Revenue.

Collector Appraisement, Ihsan Ali Shah and Collector Preventative Asif Saeed Lughmani also spoke at the function. Earlier, the PM Advisor Shehzad Arbab visited the memorial of martyrs and place floral wreath on the 'Shuhada' monument and offered prayer.