Railways to engage private sector in freight operations
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—Caretaker Minister for Railways Mansoor Tariq has said that Pakistan Railways (PR) would encourage private sector to invest in freight operations for generating more revenue and bringing efficiency in freight logistics.
Talking to APP here on Sunday the minister said that National Logistic Cell (NLC) in collaboration with Dubai based group, which is involved in freight handling all over the world, has offered PR to operate their own container coaches between Karachi and Lahore in cargo operations.
Mansoor Tariq urged private and foreign companies to avail the Open Track Policy initiated by PR where the private parties can operate their own rolling stock while paying track access charges to the Railways.
He said this would not only save the foreign exchange but also provide financial gains to Railways, which is already involved in manufacturing of such wagons in line with the international standards.
The minister said introduction of private partnership into the freight logistics would enable PR bring efficiency and promptness in such business activities.
As the economy has grown tremendously over the last decade due to consistent and business-friendly policies of the government, there is a dire need to expand the network of freight handling, he said.
He said the government has provided a level-playing field to the private sector as it brings investment and creates job opportunities.
Despite making holistic efforts by PR over the last few years, it could manage to handle only 4 per cent of the total freight business activity, he said.
There is a tremendous scope for business related activities besides having lots of opportunities as the country is going to serve as a business hub for Europe and Central and Middle East in the coming years, he added.
Mansoor Tariq said that the volume of business can be doubled as there is a great demand from the business community to increase the number of fast cargo wagons from Karachi downwards.
He said that a number of steps have recently been taken to improve the performance of freight segment. He said high capacity express container trains have been introduced, which operate on daily basis between Karachi and Lahore,reducing the travel time from 56 to 28 hours.
A new Cargo Express train is being launched shortly to cater for demands of the business community, he added.
Agencies Adds: Sukkur Division Railways authorities operated three trains from Rohri and Pano Aqil stations on Saturday night to carry stranded passengers to upcountry destinations.
The three trains operated included Bhambhore Express and Super Express moved from Rohri Railway Station and Shah Rukn-e-Alam Express operated from Pano Aqil Station.
Deputy DS Railway Sukkur Division told APP that since most trains have been set ablaze, three rescue trains were being arranged to carry their passengers to up-country destinations.
Meanwhile in Karachi Railway Division, four teams of experts and engineers have been moved out from Karachi City, Cantonment, Jumma Goth Railway Stations along with necessary equipment and material for survey of damages and starting train service.
The DS Railway Karachi Division told APP that one of the four teams will survey and start repair work from Kotri to Dadu and from Kotri to Tandoadam.
He said lastnight a high level meeting was held to review the measures for start of restoration work.
He said the authorities have provided due security to the teams which set out on survey and repair work.