News Desk |
Logistics has become an enormously important component of the gross domestic product (GDP) of industrialized nations. The same is true for Pakistan especially after the initiation of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The megaproject often termed as a gamechanger in Pakistani economic history is largely dependent on logistics. It is this context that the National Logistics cell plays a prime role in the important event of Pakistan’s history.
Pakistan’s premier logistics enterprise, the National Logistic Cell (NLC) has roots in a time of national emergency when massive congestion hit Karachi Port in 1978, bringing the country’s Logistics operations to a halt. The gridlock at the port stymied the supply and demand cycle, causing scarcity of essential commodities. The crisis led to the distressed supply of wheat, sugar and raw material for industrial units in the country, warranting urgent measures to restore normalcy. NLC was established both as a dedicated organization to manage the crisis at hand and avert recurrence of logistics emergencies in future.
NLC is at the forefront of CPEC projects. The government of Gilgit Baltistan is funding four new projects with the hope of achieving positive reinforcement of the socioeconomic status of the land and its population.
The organization has played a major role in national development since its inception performing diverse roles and contributing significantly towards the growth of the national economy. The development trajectory and steady expansion of the organization in term of human and material resources bear out highest professional standards maintained by NLC. From an entity established to respond to a logistic crisis, NLC evolved into Pakistan’s largest and most resilient logistics enterprise, carrying out overarching roles and tasks.
NLC is rendering remarkable services towards national building efforts in multiple areas of its specialization. With its presence from North to South East and West, NLC is committed to uninterrupted logistics, transportation, construction of mega projects, the operation of border terminals and dry ports and capacity development of the country’s youth under its corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Read more:Â Balochistan and its fate in CPEC
China–Pakistan Economic Corridor or CPEC is a collection of infrastructure projects that are currently under construction throughout Pakistan. Originally valued at $46 billion, the value of CPEC projects is worth $62 billion as of 2017. A vast network of highways and railways are to be built under the aegis of CPEC that will span the length and breadth of Pakistan.
NLC is at the forefront of CPEC projects. The government of Gilgit Baltistan is funding four new projects with the hope of achieving positive reinforcement of the socioeconomic status of the land and its population. It has been reported that the National Logistics Cell (NLC) has started work on said projects with a no-profit and no-loss strategy. According to Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Gilgit-Baltistan will receive Rs.15 billion for development schemes.
In accordance with this agreement, NLC and SBI will undertake work for the setting up of a Logistics Park as per the master plan and feasibility study of China-Pakistan SEZ Dhabeji conducted by the planning commission.
These projects include renovating the road from Gilgit to Naltar, building a progressive cardiac hospital, a polytechnic institute and a sewage treatment plant in the expanse. NLC has set up a special Project Monitoring Unit to assure speedy development of the building projects.
In May it was reported that the Dhabeji-Thatta special economic zone (SEZ) designated under CPEC will be operated by NLC. A memorandum of understanding was signed between NLC and Sindh Board of Investment (SBI) to kick-start the establishment of administrative blocks and logistics with the CPEC based Dhabeji-Thatta proposed SEZ, reported a local publication.
Read more:Â NLC takes over Thatta Special Economic Zone of CPEC
As per an SBI press release, the MoU was signed by SBI Chairperson Ms. Naheed Memon and NLC Director General Major General Mushtaq Ahmed Faisal on 15th May 2018. In accordance with this agreement, NLC and SBI will undertake work for the setting up of a Logistics Park as per the master plan and feasibility study of China-Pakistan SEZ Dhabeji conducted by the planning commission.
Similarly over ninety-five percent of the work for reconstructing and rehabilitating the vital Sibbi-Harnai railway track has been undertaken by the National Logistics Cell (NLC). The strategically significant line connects remotely urban Northern Balochistan to the more industrial Sindh bridging through the rough terrain of interior Balochistan.
Read more:Â Pakistan at crossroads & CPEC
This track is vital for CPEC as it facilitates connectivity between important nodes of the Corridor. In the end, NLC has been a guiding force for the vital project of CPEC and has helped immensely in bringing the venture to fruition.