By Jawad Ahmed ISLAMABAD, Feb. 18 (INP-WealthPk): Logistics sector plays an important role in accelerating economic growth and generating employment opportunities in a country. In Pakistan, this sector has performed poorly, ranking 122nd out of 160 nations in terms of the logistic performance index. It is a matter of concern not only for Pakistan, but also for the world. It is one of the world's five major issues along with Covid-19, global warming, global supply chain management, taxation, and refugee migration, said Babar Badat, former president of International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), Chairman of TIR Pakistan and Director of Transhold Logistic Group, while speaking at a webinar arranged by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Islamabad. Babar said logistics and global supply chain were the most important factors affecting the global economy. “A smart logistics is significant for increasing our exports and removing the financial constraints,’’ he suggested. Babar said one of the most significant difficulties facing this industry was a lack of focal point. This industry, he said, was spread over seven different ministries: shipping – port and shipping; railways - railways ministry; road – Ministry of Communication; aviation – defense ministry, custom and clearance – finance ministry… All of these ministries work in different tangents, making coordination impossible. As a result, the country's logistics business has been held hostage and is unable to flourish. An autonomous ministry is needed to help grow this sector, he said. He further said that in order to reap the benefits of this market, legislative assistance at the federal level was also required. There are seven commercial modes of transportation: shipping, roads, railways, aviation, inland waterways, pipelines, and transmission lines. Shipping and trucking industries, which are the backbone of logistics and transportation, require special attention. Unfortunately, despite having a population of over 200 million people and a coastline of around 1,100km, Pakistan does not have a single container ship, Babar added. “Another hurdle in the development of logistics in the country is that the trucking industry is still informal. The private sector lacks structural cooperate entities and proper financing. National Logistics Cell (NLC) is the only government organization but it has regional limitations.” Babar said while Pakistan had been working for decades to strengthen its agricultural and industrial sectors, logistics and logistics infrastructure had yet to develop. An effective logistics system was required for any product for transportation from the manufacturing floor or fields to the place of consumption. Babar highlighted that China made significant investments in its domestic logistics sector between 2008 and 2013 as part of a five-year strategy. During these five years, China made significant investments in roads, railways, airports, terminals, and ports, as well as expanding its logistical capabilities. If the CPEC succeeds, the need for logistics will skyrocket. To increase our exports to other borders or worldwide destinations, Pakistan has to build effective logistics. A low-cost transportation system will help it expand its export potential, he added. Babar said national consensus is needed between the public and private sectors to build a smart logistic system in the country. Instead of focusing on self-interest, we need to focus on Pakistan as a whole. By banding together, we can make Pakistan a developed and prosperous country, he added.