Federal Minister for Railways Rashid Ahmad has announced 50 percent reduction in goods trains freight rates, between Lahore and Karachi. He made the announcement to this effect at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The minister also agreed to enhance goods clearance period to five days for imports from India so that the business community could be saved from unnecessary demurrage.
About the new dry port in Lahore; the Minister offered Railways land as equity for the establishment of dry ports in collaboration with Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 50 percent shares basis so that most modern dry port could be built somewhere around Lahore.
Rashid said that his ministry was providing record facilities to the Economy Class in a bid to provide cheaper transportation facilities to people. He also announced to construct a five-star hotel at Mayo Gardens in Lahore and added that the surrounding environment, especially trees, would be protected under a plan developed by renowned architect Nayyar Ali Dada. He said that in this regard a bid would be appearing in all newspapers within a week.
The minister said that the Railway officials were striving to improve its image and all precious Railways land would be sold out to private sector. He said that study was being carried out to build double track from Lahore to Karachi.
He said special attention was being given to provide relief to passengers of railways. He added that wheel chairs would be provided at railway stations for the comfort of disabled persons.
The Minister said that Pakistan Railways was planning to run a luxury train between Lahore and Karachi in a bid to attract the passengers presently travelling by air. He added that the train route could be extended to Rawalpindi. He invited private sector to come forward and make investment in Pakistan Railways in good national interest.
FPCCI former President Iftikhar Ali Malik called for urgent improvement of Railway siding. He said being a cheaper source of transportation, Railways was the first choice of the businessmen and industrialists for shifting of their goods.
He said the government should take bold steps to ensure quality Railway service to the exporters and industrialists for transportation of goods.
He said Railways can play a very important role in cutting down cost of doing business in Pakistan and making its products competitive in the world market.
Iftikhar Ali Malik proposed to the minister that Railways should encourage local industry for preparing its locomotive parts.
He said the indigenous auto vendor industry will help Railways operate on modern line and play its due role in progress and prosperity of the country besides providing jobs to a large number of unemployed skilled and unskilled labour.
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