Railways urged to resume cargo trains

PESHAWAR: The Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) has suggested to the Pakistan Railways to resume the cargo train service to increase the earnings.

Talking to the media, PAJCCI KP Coordinator Ziaul Haq Sarhadi commended Pakistan Railways for increasing annual revenue to Rs66 billion in nine months. “The phenomenal jump in earnings reflects revival of people’s confidence in Pakistan Railways in the wake of better management decisions taken by Chairman Mazhar Ali Shah and GM Amir Baloch for the provision of improved travelling facilities,” said Sarhadi, who is also a Member Advisory Committee of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Pakistan Railways.

Zarhadi said Pakistan Railways was the safest and cheapest traveling facility in the country but due to some management loopholes, travelers had diverted to buses and other modes of traveling. “More people will prefer travel by trains and revenue will increase with time if the Railways keep on taking such decisions,” he added.

The PAJCCI coordinator suggested that Pakistan Railways focus on launching cargo trains from Karachi to Peshawar for the facilitation of the business community, especially those dealing in the Pak-Afghan trade. He said Pakistan Railways should cater to the transportation of loose cargo being sent by exporters and importers within the country.

“By focusing on cargo trains, Pakistan Railways can triple annual earnings from existing ones besides providing relief to people, especially the business community which have to pay exorbitant charges to truck owners for transportation of goods.

Sarhadi said in the wake of the increase in prices of petroleum products, fares for transportation of goods from the port city of Karachi to Peshawar through heavy vehicles had increased manifold, leading to a huge burden on the business community.

“Cargo train service by the Pakistan Railways will not only provide relief to the business community but also contribute to the increasing volume of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan by reducing transportation charges,” he pointed out.