Bakhtiar proposes establishment of inland water transportation network

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar on Friday said that developing inland water transportation network could greatly reduce cost of transporting cargo within the country and National Logistics Cell (NLC) could take initiative in this regard.

The Minister said this during a meeting with Director General, NLC, Major Gen. Asim Iqbal, who called on him here.

Secretary Planning Zafar Hasan and Member Infrastructure were also present in the meeting.

Read: CPEC helped Pakistan overcome power crisis: Bakhtiar

During the meeting, DG, NLC, gave a comprehensive presentation on organization’s various functions, achievements and future targets.

He said that NLC, among other services, provides safe and speedy transportation as well as engineering services during natural disasters.

He apprised that NLC had undertaken 171 projects worth Rs 164 billion over the past four decades.

Last month, Bakhtiar stated that new power plants and clean water projects would soon be initiated in Gwadar. While master plan of Gwadar would also be completed in next six weeks, he added.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent visit to China also finalized an accord on agriculture cooperation between the two countries. While agreements regarding socio-economic development were also reached, he added.

He informed that a CPEC business forum was also on the cards and it would be formed soon.