KARACHI, Dec 31: Pakistan Railways has introduced special rates for rice exporters for transportation of the commodity through its wagons to Iran via Taftan border.

The Pakistan Railways took the decision on the request of the Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (Unisame) and intimated the union that a special station-to-station reduced rate for the transportation of rice to Iran will be Rs1,710 per ton to facilitate the export.

The new rates will be effective from January 2 and remain operative till March 31, 2006.

The new rates included a 25 per cent surcharge, LHC/LMC and siding charges if any. The loading station will be Wazir Mansion (Karachi) and destination will be Spezand-Via Kuhi Taftan (border town in Balochistan).

The carrying capacity of the wagon used will be 22.4 tons and the minimum weight charge will apply on the basis of full capacity.

The union had approached the Pakistan Railways to seek a reduction in freight for Iran. Unisame President Zulfikar Thaver has thanked the Pakistan Railways for a prompt action to promote exports to Iran by small and medium enterprises.—APP