PESHAWAR: The Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) has strongly advocated for the initiation of a cargo train service from Karachi to Peshawar, aiming to facilitate the business community, particularly those involved in Pak-Afghan trade.
In a statement, Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi, Coordinator of PAJCCI KP, emphasized the importance of Pakistan Railways launching cargo trains on the Karachi-Peshawar route. He highlighted the significance of rail transportation for loose cargo within the country, urging Railways to address this aspect as well.
Sarhadi pointed out that by focusing on cargo train services, Pakistan Railways could significantly increase its annual earnings, potentially tripling its current revenue. Additionally, such an initiative would provide much-needed relief to businesses that currently face high transportation costs by relying on trucks.
The Coordinator of PAJCCI KP noted that the recent surge in petroleum product prices has substantially elevated the fare for transporting goods from Karachi to Peshawar via heavy vehicles. This surge, in turn, burdens the business community with increased costs. Introducing cargo trains would alleviate this financial strain and contribute to enhancing bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan by reducing transportation charges.
He commended Pakistan Railways for achieving its highest annual revenue of Rs. 66 billion within the first nine months of the current year. Sarhadi suggested that launching cargo trains would further bolster these earnings.
Furthermore, Sarhadi praised the management decisions taken by Chairman Mazhar Ali Shah and GM Amir Baloch for their efforts in improving traveling facilities within Pakistan Railways. He highlighted the importance of addressing management loopholes to restore public confidence in train travel. Sarhadi emphasized that if such initiatives continue, more people would prefer train travel over other modes of transportation, leading to a gradual increase in revenue over time.
Sarhadi concluded by underscoring the safety and cost-effectiveness of train travel in Pakistan. He expressed optimism that with the implementation of strategic decisions and initiatives, Pakistan Railways would witness a resurgence in popularity among travelers, ultimately resulting in sustained revenue growth.
The advocacy by PAJCCI for the establishment of a cargo train service between Karachi and Peshawar reflects the ongoing efforts to enhance trade facilitation and strengthen economic ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
