Torkham border terminal: NLC rejects FBR's report of providing inadequate facilities

The National Logistics Cell (NLC) has categorically rejected the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)'s fact finding report blaming the NLC for providing inadequate facilities at Torkham Border terminal.

Sources in the NLC have dispelled the impression of lack of coordination between government agencies, as officials of all concerned departments meet on a monthly basis.

These meetings, the sources say, are chaired by the adviser to the prime minister on Establishment Division.

The issue of capacity or lack thereof has never been raised in these meetings.

Instead, due to satisfactory performance of the NLC, it was given the status of terminal operator.

Had there been any issue of capacity, the FBR would not have notified the NLC to operate the terminal, sources in the NLC were of the view.

Instead of giving credit to the NLC for providing secure environment to discharge its responsibility efficiently, the conclusions drawn, in the report are based on selective information to purposefully malign the organization, the sources claim.

They said that the responsibility for issuing "In" and "Out" gate passes of cargo vehicles rests with the Customs department.

Once gate out pass is issued to the driver, NLC cannot legally stop vehicle from leaving the premises.

Moreover, a check post was jointly managed by the Customs and the NLC at Shaheed Morr.

In July 2019, NLC staff was removed by the then assistant collector appraisement Torkham and since then it is being manned by Customs department only.

Sources disclosed that the NLC was operating the terminal since May 2015.

Despite numerous odds, all out assistance have been provided on a priority basis to the concerned government departments, which include furnished offices, computers, internet connectivity, baggage and vehicle scanners, CCTV coverage, weigh bridges and electricity etc.

As an additional requirement, the Customs department requested internet connectivity for the newly-established office for "out" gate at Shaheed Morr, which was provided accordingly.

The WeBOC is the system of Customs, which is instrumental in regulating taxes/duties.

The NLC has neither any access to the system nor can interfere with taxes imposed/GD filing.

Moreover, goods being transported as per the "goods declaration form" is the sole responsibility of the Customs department.

The sources said that the NLC played key role in 24/7 operationalisation of Torkham Border terminal, which has significantly increased import/export business with Afghanistan besides facilitating cross-border movement of passengers.

Giving account of the NLC's achievements at the border terminals, the sources claimed that during scanning of cargo, the NLC had seized foreign currency worth billions of rupees, 1,916 pieces of arms/ ammunitions, 74 kilogrammes of narcotics, 2,470 smuggled goods, and 13 kilogrammes of gold etc, which were immediately handed over to the concerned authorities on the spot.