National Logistics Corporation
| File:NLC Pakistan logo.jpeg | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Logistics Freight System |
| Founded | July 20, 1978 |
| Headquarters | , Pakistan |
Area served | Pakistan Central Asian States |
| Services | Logistics, freight forwarding, dry ports, border terminals, engineering, construction, tolling, express freight trains, polymers, and sea freight |
Number of employees | 8,000 |
| Website | www |
The National Logistics Corporation (Urdu: نیشنل لاجسٹکس کارپوریشن), formerly known as the National Logistics Cell, is a Pakistani state-owned logistics company based in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.[1][2] It is considered as the logistics arm of Pakistan Army and operates under its indirect control.[3][4][5] NLC works under the ambit of Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiative (PD& SI) & functions through National Logistics Board.[1]
The NLC is a state-owned enterprise that provides transport and logistics services and has been facilitating the export of Pakistani products including perishable items such as bananas, meat and seafood to Central Asian states and China.[2]
As of 2011, NLC was responsible for transporting approximately 50 percent of Pakistan's imported crude oil, amounting to about 76,000 barrels per day.[3]
History
In Pakistan, logistics contributes 13% towards GDP and 5.4 % of job market share. Notwithstanding its immense significance, the logistics industry of the country is largely underdeveloped and in dire need of reforms. Rail freight has lost competitiveness resulting in over-reliance on road mode. The road freight on the other hand is highly fragmented. It comprises only a small percentage of large fleet operators. An overwhelming 85% of road freight is being operated by owners having old vintage trucks with rigid suspension. To make up for the high fuel and maintenance costs of these obsolete vehicles, transporters resort to overloading that in turn causes serious damage to road network. The inland waterways have yet to be explored for freight movement. Airlines prefer passengers over cargo. Warehousing particularly cold storage are insufficient leading to heavy losses of perishable goods. The situation has further been compounded by the lack of a dedicated ministry for logistics and transport to regulate the sector and provide an enabling environment for its growth.
In line with the National Freight & Logistics Policy, NLC has implemented a modernization program focusing on upgradation of fleet, automation & digitalization of processes.[3]
In July 2011, the Government of Pakistan allowed the NLC to participate in the bidding process for the acquisition of a state-owned construction company, which was a change from its original charter.[3] The decision was made to refocus the NLC and align its activities with its statutory framework.[3] The NLC sought to acquire international assets owned by the National Power Construction Company.[3]
As of 2011, NLC was responsible for transporting approximately 50 percent of Pakistan's domestic crude oil, amounting to about 76,000 barrels per day.[3]
In 2014, NLC was awarded the contract to construct the Rawalpindi section of Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metrobus at 1.04 per cent higher than the estimated cost.[6]
In 2024, the NLC announced a new trade gateway with Tajikistan with an initial shipment of potatoes facilitated by the NLC.[7]
Controversies
In 2010, a corruption scandal was unearthed that involved two Pakistan Army generals, (Maj Gen Khalid Zaheer Akhtar and Lt Gen Muhammad Afzal), and caused a loss of Rs. 1.8 billion to the company through speculative investments between 2004 and 2008.[8][9] In 2015, both of them were convicted by the military court of Pakistan.[10]
References
- ^ "Senate of Pakistan". www.senate.gov.pk. Retrieved 2023-05-29.
- ^ Hussain, Ali (5 August 2023). "Senate passes National Logistics Corporation Bill, 2023". Business Recorder. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Rana, Shahbaz (July 22, 2011). "Army's expanding footprint: NLC allowed to bid for state-owned construction firm". The Express Tribune.
- ^ Newspaper, From the (July 2, 2012). "NLC scandal". DAWN.COM.
- ^ "Rs35 billion budget approved for National Logistics Cell". The Express Tribune. August 13, 2012.
- ^ Yasin, Aamir (March 22, 2014). "PM to inaugurate Metro Bus Project tomorrow". DAWN.COM.
- ^ "Pakistan opens trade gateway to Central Asia with potato shipment to Tajikistan". Dunya News. 2024-04-05. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
- ^ Newspaper, the (July 2, 2012). "NLC scandal". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on October 29, 2012.
- ^ "Rs4.3b NLC scam: Military probe finds two ex-generals guilty". The Express Tribune. August 5, 2015.
- ^ "Army sentences two former generals in NLC corruption case". DAWN.COM. August 5, 2015.