PESHAWAR, Sept 14: The Afghan Transit Trade Group has urged the National Logistic Cell (NLC) to help facilitate efficient movement of goods at competitive rates across the border.

The demand was made by a seven-member delegation of the group which met Brig Fahim Ahmad of the NLC here on Friday at the Amangarh dry port.

The delegation comprised Haji Gul Afzal Shinwari, Farooq Ahmad, Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi and other office-bearers of the group, said a press release.

The delegation briefed the NLC official about a number of problems relating to its freight service, particularly provision of necessary infrastructure at the Amangarh dry port.

Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi, chairman of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) standing committee on dry ports, expressed reservations over the newly-built NLC Jamrud terminal, which is going to become a hub for the clearance of Afghan transit goods.

He said that security concerns in the tribal areas and safe transportation of goods from the Karachi port to the proposed terminal and higher freight charges were some of the reasons for their reluctance to move their business there.

Brig Fahim Ahmad, in response to their reservations, assured the traders of taking up the matter with relevant quarters, the handout added.