Railways offers stations for branding

KARACHI: Pakistan Railways is preparing a branding policy for train stations across the country to raise revenues, as the institution plans to launch several more passenger and cargo trains.

“Pakistan Railways is offering 100 stations for branding,” Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said, while speaking at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Saturday.

Railway stations offer substantial branding potential; however, the minister was not sure about the response given the deteriorating economic uncertainty in the country.

Ahmed said that Railways’ revenues surged Rs4 billion last year, adding: “A freight train would be launched from Karachi if KCCI takes the responsibility that it gets reasonable business.”

Talking about the Karachi Circular Railway, the minister said at least 10,000 houses were occupying circular railway’s land.

“Sindh government should complete the design feasibility of circular railway and the ministry would ensure vacation of its land,” he said, adding that only PTI government could complete this project.

Earlier, KCCI President Junaid Ismail Makda said that Karachi generated 70 percent of the country’s revenue, which was recognised by the federal government, and yet the city was ignored.