LAHORE: Federal Minister Azam Khan Swati has said that Dry Ports will be activated while a cargo center will be established at Kot Lakhpat Industrial area .
He was speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry. LCCI President Mian Tariq Misbah, Senior Vice President Nasir Hameed Khan and Vice President Tahir Manzoor Chaudhry also spoke on the occasion.
The Minister said that projects from the private sector will be welcomed and Pakistan Railways is ready for joint ventures. The Private sector should identify the sites at the land of Pakistan Railways, prepare a feasibility report and start the project. He said that land of Pakistan Railways will be available only for lease, not for sale. Pakistan Railways must be upgraded to boost Pakistan’s economy and to reduce import-export costs.
He said that the government is going to make fundamental changes in the Federal Board of Revenue. He said that Pakistan Railways will start E-ticketing for Cargo trains. He said that Dry Ports will be activated while a cargo center will be will be established at Kot Lakhpat Industrial area with the collaboration of private sector.
LCCI President Mian Tariq Misbah said that LCCI is fully aware of the importance of Pakistan Railway. It is through Pakistan Railways, our businesses can get access to the transporting through Rail Cargo Service which is relatively cost-effective. However, in the recent times, due to non-availability of sufficient cargo wagons, the businessmen have to bear the cost of transporting goods through trucks which are sometime three times costly as compared to train.
Mian Tariq Misbah said that to be able to keep up with the expected increase of economic activities on account of CPEC projects, the rail tracks need to be upgraded. We are hopeful that once the ML1 project is completed, these things will be taken care of.
“For making Pakistan Railways a service oriented organization on the modern lines, we recommend that you should initiate new projects in collaboration with private sector. Through pubic private partnership, we can make the difference in transforming Pakistan Railways”, he added.
The LCCI President said that the cargo trains of Pakistan Railway are being used to transport Bonded as well as Non- Bonded containers. He demanded that only bonded containers should be given priority and if there is any space left then the Non-Bonded containers should be loaded.
He said that there are 5 to 7 free days given to the businessmen for clearing their shipments. Considering the prevailing economic scenario, this limit should be extended to 15 days.
“It has been observed at times that due to slow pace of cargo train, the containers/shipments get late and the businessmen have to bear extra cost in the shape of demurrage”, the LCCI President added.
LCCI Senior Vice President Nasir Hameed Khan and Vice President Tahir Manzoor Chaudhry said that a cargo train was available at Lahore Dry Port for 2 to 3 days a week. This service has been suspended which is creating problems for the upcountry Businesses.
“As citizens of this country, we are much concerned about train accidents which are repeatedly occurring after few months. We recommend that steps should be taken to install Central Traffic Control system to avoid accidents and also improve the safety of transportation by train”, the LCCI office-bearers said.
