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Islamabad: Turkish transport experts have been tasked to prepare feasibility report for involvement of private sector in the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul container train service (the Gul Train) as to make the Train a lucrative cargo service not only between Pakistan and Turkey but also beyond to Europe. The team with the involvement of Ministry of Railways has held meeting with Karachi Stock Exchange and Federation of Chamber of Commerce and would be visiting Pakistan to further deliberate and finalize the feasibility report.
This was informed during a briefing held at Aiwan-e-Sadr today on the issues relating to Pakistan Railways, the restructuring and revitalization plan and the progress made in the Gul Train.
The meeting chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari was attended by Finance Minister Dr. Hafeez Sheikh, Law Minister Mr. Maula Baksh Chandio, Privatization Minister Mr. Ghous Bux Khan Maher, Railways Minister Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, Secretary General Mr. M. Salman Faruqui, and senior officials of the concerned departments besides Mr. Arif Habib, Chairman Arif Habib Group of Companies. Chairman PPP Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was also present during the meeting.
Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour briefed the meeting about the situation of Pakistan Railways and the strategies being pursued to cope with the challenges.
He said that the shortage of the locomotives was among the main issues facing Pakistan Railways. The available locomotives, he said, were prone to frequent failures. He said that a crisis management programme has been put in place whereby the task force has been constituted to explore possibility of repairing locomotives in collaboration with the private sector as well as hiring/leasing from the foreign countries. He said that Pakistan Railways was endeavouring to attract private investment to shore up its declining resources. Establishment of dry ports and operation of passenger train in collaboration with the private sector, outsourcing of ticketing and parcelling, updating financial and cost accounting system, introducing track access policy to encourage private sector to run own trains and restructuring of Railways were a few quotes to corporatize Railways culture.
He suggested the need for a National transport Policy laying down the role of railway and road to rationalize the allocation of funds. He also suggested that the Government may consider financially bailing out the Railways so as to enable its revitalization.
The President while emphasizing upon the need for Railways to re-orient itself said that the successful strategies pursued by the neighbouring countries can be emulated to revitalize this important mode of transportation.
He said that in view of the importance of Railways in the economic development, social integration and as a strategic asset, all efforts must be undertaken to support this sector and improve its image among the masses.
The President said that revitalization of Pakistan Railways was also essential to materialize the vision of enhancing inter and intra connectivity of the region which was the key to socio-economic development of the country and the region.
The President also enquired about the operations of Business Express Train between Lahore and Karachi, on the basis of Public Private Partnership, and the Shalimar Express. He emphasized upon the need to induct private sector in all Railway related business i.e. establishment of dry ports, running of freight trains, commercialization of railways assets etc.
He also advised the Government to consider various options to bail out Railways from its financial crunch.
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