ISLAMABAD

Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reforms Ahsan Iqbal Monday directed National Logistic Cell (NLC) to formulate a five-year business plan by setting clear objectives of the organisation for transforming it into a leading transportation company of the region.
The minister said that NLC, which is playing important role in national development of the country, should modernize for provision of efficient services.
“Pakistan is poised to become trade & commerce hub in the region, therefore NLC should prepare to take advantage of future opportunities,” Ahsan Iqbal issued these directions while chairing 57th meeting of National Logistic Board (NLB) here at Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms.
Ahsan Iqbal said that NLC should identify mid-term to long term targets for enhancing the operational capability and efficiency of NLC for future trucking and logistic needs especially in the backdrop of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which would generate enormous opportunities in logistic sector.
Minister also issued the directions for completion of National Logistic Framework and Trucking Policy at its earliest for brining improvement in the trucking and logistic sector of the country.
National Logistic Board also authorised NLC to hire a well-reputed management consultancy firm for formulation of five-year business plan. The board accorded approval to audit accounts of financial years 2011-12 and 2012-13.
Minister said that NLC is the backbone of logistic sector in the country and should focus on its core business.
Ahsan Iqbal said that NLC should also align itself with the development portfolio of the country by anticipating the future requirement of the country in logistic sector.
Minister noted that CPEC would create enormous opportunities in freight and logistics and NLC can benefit from these opportunities through improving its organizational capability. He directed the organization to explore transportation opportunities on western route of CPEC as well as at Gwadar, which is the key node of mega project.
He said that CPEC along with CARC would make western route an important trade corridor for upcountry and Afghanistan. NLC should undertake the study to explore potential avenues on this corridor for its future growth.