World Bank keen to conduct study on logistics services

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank on Thursday showed interest in conducting a study to identify demands and develop logistics services for the transportation of freights from ports to across the country. A delegation of the World Bank, headed by Transport Manager Olivier Le Ber visited Ministry of Railways.

A statement said the delegation showed interest in having an analytical study of different terminals at Karachi “so that in future it would be easy for any business part to select a transport mode for upcountry movement of freight”.

“Today, the World Bank is doing railway research and analysis in over 20 countries,” it added. “Across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe, the Bank is supporting 16 investment projects worth $6.9 billion.”

Mazhar Ali Shah, director general Planning, Ministry of Railways briefed the delegation about 13 kilometers long railway track between Port Qasim and Bin Qasim. The Bank’s delegation also showed interest in execution of new rail connectivity between Peshawar and Jalalabad via Loi Shalman Valley to bring its proficiency and skill to reform and manage railways.

The World Bank is already working with the National Highways Authority in the same region. The Bank also agreed to provide loan for the development of Peshawar-Kabul Motorway. The Bank’s delegation was also briefed about Peshawar and Jalalabad Economic Corridor.

Government has already geared up its efforts to increase capacity of ports by establishing infrastructure to meet the growing movements of cargoes. Karachi Port Trust planned an elevated express way to connect the Pakistan Deep-Water Container Terminal, East Wharf and West Wharf to Northern Bypass to avert traffic congestions on the main arteries. The government also planned to start ferry services from Pakistan to Iran and Dubai and between Karachi and Gwadar.