Tajikistan to sell cheap electricity to Pakistan
The Tajik Ambassador Said Saidbaig has said Tajikistan is constructing a high power transmission line from Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan and a consortium of Russia, Iran, Kazakhastan, Ukraine, Qatar is executing the construction of the two huge hydropower stations like Tarbela dam-Raguon hydropower stations. Within two years after the completion of these projects, Tajkistan will be able to export cheap electricity to Pakistan and Iran. The Tajik Ambassador was speaking at inaugural session of a seminar on National Trade Corridor jointly organized by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) at the LCCI on Saturday. The seminar presided by Chairman, National Highway Authority, Major General Imtaiz Ahmad was also addressed by LCCI President Mohmmad Ali Mian, Ambassador of Afghanistan Anwar Anwarzai and Chairman LCCI Standing Committee on Transport and Logistics Muhammad Anwar. The Ambassador said that the construction process of the international road from Tajikistan capital Dushanbe into the direction of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and China is well on way which will give an opportunity to Tajikistan to enter Pakistan and reaches Gwadar Port. This road would not only benefit Tajikistan but would also help Pakistan get additional boost in terms of trade. Speaking on the ccasion, the Chairman National Highway authority said that the completion of National Trade Corridor will not only help bring the world resources to Pakistan but it would also cut the cost of doing business as infrastructure plays an important role in promotion of trade and industry.
NHA chief said Gawadar Port is going to play a big role in National Trade Corridor Proggramme because by implementing it in a true letter and spirit we would become part of international community. He however stressed upon technical training to abreast with development taking place across the globe. Speaking on the occasion, the LCCI President Mohammad Ali Mian said that with the implementation of National Trade Corridor program declaring KarachiPort as mother port for Afghanistan, CentralAsianRepublic and Western China will give considerable boost economic activities in the region.He said that the key objective of the National Trade Corridor Programme is to reduce share of domestic transport and cost of non-service factors in the total value of commodities. Overall reduction in transport and transit costs for goods using the national Trade Corridor. It would also help enhance Railways share of long distance traffic of freight and reduction in the operating deficit of railways and improve safety of transport and procurement operations.Mohammad Ali Mian said that under the NTC program, it is proposed to setup multi purpose parking and resting facilities for trucks and drivers at locations close to the main cities. He said that other carrier companies along with NLC should be allowed to operate to carry goods in transit to Afghanistan and CentralAsianRepublics as the NLC has failed to operate in these countries due to econo-political situations in CentralAsianRepublics and Pakistan. Mohammad ali Mian while stressing the need for the modernization of Freight Trucking Fleet said that it is imperative as Pakistan’s dependence on road freight is high and is growing fast. The government should provide all necessary support for the modernization of infrastructure facilities under the NTCIP, which will contribute in saving of US$ 2 to US$ 2.5 billion per annum. Modernize trucking fleets will reduce fuel import bill by 25 percent and road maintenance cost by US$ one billion. At the end, the LCCI president Mohammad Ali Mian distributed the certificates and shields to the participants.
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