The National Logistic Cell (NLC) will set up its state-of-the-art terminal at Torkham border with the financial assistance of Asian Development Bank (ADP) at a cost of Rs 9 billion. The proposed terminal to be constructed on an area, spreading over 432 kanals, will have Customs station, baggage scanner, walk-through gates, display centre, warehouse, weight station and banks.
This was stated by head of NLC, Brigadier Nadeem Iqbal (Retd) while briefing a delegation of Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry during it visit to the Wagah border. The delegation was led by its director Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi. Brigadier Iqbal (Retd) said that the terminal would be completed in two phases whereas the work on its first phase has been initiated by FIA Immigration department.
In the first phase of the project, passage cards would be issued to those coming from Afghanistan and for this purpose the office of National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) has started work, he said, adding that the ADP has released Rs 9bn for the terminal's second phase and the process of signing lease agreement for acquiring land has been completed with elders of Khoga Khel Shinwari tribe. However, a final approval in this regard would be sought from Federal Minister for Finance, Ishaq Dar, he added.
Brigadier Iqbal said that Pakistani goods will have access to Central Asian Countries and even to Europe via Peshawar-Torkham Road which was currently being constructed by Frontier Works Organisation (FWO).