President General Pervez Musharraf directed Pakistan Railways on Tuesday to make use of its assets through public-private partnership to generate funds for speedy implementation of its improvement plans and at the same time ensure better services for passengers nation-wide.
The president, who received a briefing on the implementation status of Pakistan Railways' improvement plans, asked its top managers to work out a plan for efficient use of its huge assets, like land and machinery, on commercial lines. He added that efforts be made to promote the use of railways as a safe and economical mode of transportation.
He appreciated the recent improvement in facilities for train travellers both on board and at railway stations.
In this context, President Musharraf said, the introduction of low class air-conditioned coaches would attract more passengers and make trains a preferred means of travel.
Minister for Railways Ghaus Bux Mehar briefed the president about various improvement and expansion plans of the railways. Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz also attended the presentation.
Expressing support of the government for an efficient railway system, the president also called for bolstering its freight and goods transportation services.
"The rail network has a great role to play in sustaining economic activity. In the long-term it is imperative that the Pakistan Railways materialises better freight facilities so that businesses prefer it as a cost-effective means of transportation of goods."
President Musharraf also directed the top officials of railways to come up with plans for connecting under-construction Gwadar deep seaport with the main rail network.
Ghaus Bux Mehar briefed the president about the procurement and manufacturing of locomotives, coaches and wagons, rehabilitation of railway tracks, laying of new tracks, improvement in on board facilities for passengers and introduction of new train services.
The minister reported efficiency in running time of trains and said one-widow reservation facility and computerisation of reservation system has received a positive response from passengers.
He also briefed President Musharraf about plans for resumption of Karachi circular railways.
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