President Pervez Musharraf on Monday said Pakistan will develop its railways as an efficient mass transit service as well as an elaborate communication network for promoting regional commerce.
Speaking to a delegation of German investors in the field of locomotives and passenger coaches, the President said Pakistan Railways offers tremendous prospects for investment and the country would like to benefit from German expertise and technology.
He said in addition to launching mass transit service in eight major cities of the country. Pakistan is planning to establish rail linkages with the regional countries to bolster trade through its deep seaports including Gwadar with Central Asian states and China.
Pakistan is resolved to utilise its geo-strategic potential as a hub of regional trade and as an energy corridor and developing rail link with neighbouring countries including China is a vital component of our vision he stated, while welcoming German entrepreneurs keen desire to invest in the sector.
Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed was also present during the meeting.
The President informed the German entrepreneurs about plans to commence mass transit service in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Multan, Faisablabad, Hyderabad and Peshawar, saying it would facilitate travel of common people and minimise traffic problems. He said recognising the importance of railways as a cost-effective means of long-distance transportation, a number of steps have been taken since 1999 for modernisation of Pakistan Railways and in this respect referred to induction of new coaches, dualisation of tracks and improvement in standard of services.
He praised Pakistan Railway's efforts for providing quality services and efficient transportation to people across the country.
Federal Minister, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said Pakistan Railways is striving for excellence both in terms of providing facilities to passengers and improving transportation of goods.
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