QUETTA: The Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) has called upon the authorities to start business activities at the Bazarcha border terminal at the Taftan border to bring trade and job opportunities to residents.

Speaking at a meeting of the chamber, which discussed border trade and other issues, QCCI President Fida Hussain Dashti regretted that despite the consent of the Federal Board of Revenue and relevant agencies, it was surprising that the NLC has put up obstacles in this regard.

He said construction and operation of the Bazarcha border terminal were a long-standing demand of Taftan residents and people associated with Balochistan’s trade and industry, especially transporters.

Mr Dashti said the demand had already been brought into the notice of Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, FBR Chairman Muhammad Ishfaq Ahmed and Senate Standing Committee for Trade Chairman Zeeshan Khanzada during their visit to Taftan.

In this regard, a memorandum of understanding was also signed between the QCCI and Pakistan Customs in March this year.

Later, a notification was also issued, after which the QCCI Terminal Operations Trust started construction work.

The QCCI president said although the construction work was completed ahead of schedule, the terminal had yet to start operations.

He insisted that starting commercial activities at the Bazarcha border terminal would not only increase the revenue of the country and the province but also create hundreds of jobs.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2022