PESHAWAR: Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) has commended Pakistan Railways over increasing its annual revenue to highest peak of Rs. 66 billion in nine months of current year and has suggested for launching of cargo trains to further piling up of earnings.

In a statement issued here on Sunday, Coordinator PAJCCI KP, Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi said it is appreciative of the development that Pakistan Railways has increased its annual revenue to record height.

The phenomenal jump in earnings reflect revival of people’s confidence on Railways in the wake of better management decisions taken by Chairman Mazhar Ali Shah and GM, Amir Baloch for provision of improved travelling facilities, opined Zia who is also Member Advisory Committee of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on Pakistan Railways.

He said Railways is the safest and cheapest travelling facility in the country but due to some management loopholes, travellers had diverted to buses and other modes of travelling. If such decisions were kept on taking, more people will prefer travelling in trains and revenue will increase with passage of time, he opined.

He suggested Pakistan Railways to focus on launching cargo trains from Karachi to Peshawar for facilitation of the business community especially those dealing in Pak-Afghan trade. He said Railways should also cater to transportation of loose cargo being sent by exporters and importers within the country.

By focusing on plying of cargo trains, Railways can triple its annual earnings from existing one besides providing relief to people especially business community who have to pay exorbitant rates to truck owners for transportation of goods.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024