Punjab Chief Minister, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, has expressed the hope that the newly introduced 'Cargo Train Express' would play an important role towards promotion of trade and commerce.
He said this while addressing the launching ceremony of the Cargo Train Express here on Tuesday. Federal Minister for Railways, Mian Shamim Haider also spoke on this occasion. Among others, Federal Secretary and the Chairman Railway Board, Shakeel Durrani attended the function.
He expressed satisfaction over fruitful results of reforms process initiated by the present government in all the fields including the Pakistan Railways. Expressing satisfaction that the industrial field was making rapid progress in the country, he pointed out that almost a billion dollar's investment had been made in cement industry in Chakwal only.
The Chief Minister also expressed the hope that trade activities would multiply merely with the provision of improved transportation of raw material. He pointed out that the development of means of communication was extremely important in gearing up the pace of domestic and foreign investment.
Pointing out that privatisation of the railways was on cards during the previous regimes but the present government through better planning, brought gradual improvement in this important organisation.
He said that important measures were being taken to bring about improvement in the Railways Department under the leadership of Federal Minister, Mian Shamim Haider. As a result of these measures the lost confidence of the masses on the railways, was getting revived. On this occasion the Chief Minister accompanied by Mian Shamim Haider, inaugurated the Cargo Train Express. He also visited various parts of the train.
Federal Minister Railways, Mian Shamim Haider also expressed the hope that the Cargo Train Express would provide cargo facilities not only to the traders community but would also add to the railways revenue. He said that a third fast freight train would be launched within next six weeks between Karachi-Lahore-Faisalabad.
Talking to newsmen on this occasion, Shamim said that fuel surcharge levied by the Railways was 'adjustment' to meet the rising cost due to hike in diesel prices.
He said that meeting to discuss raise in railway fares would be held on November 18. He added that railway freight services would be improved in next six months with addition of speedy wagons. He said that work on double-track between Khanewal-Lodhran and Khanewal-Raiwind section was going on in full swing and was likely to be completed within next 18 months.