LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry & Industry (LCCI) has underlined the need for up-gradation of Railway System to get rid of the untoward incidents that are happening constantly.
In a statement issued here, the LCCI President Abdul Basit said that repeated incidents and loss of precious human lives have fully highlighted the need for revamping the outdated systems of Pakistan Railways.
He said that Pakistan Railways is one of the largest institutions of the country as it is the most important source of passengers and industrial goods movement across the country. It is estimated that annually over 65 million passengers travel while petroleum products, oil, wheat, coal, fertilizers, cement, sugar and thousands other items distributed through Pakistan Railways but despite having utmost importance, Pakistan Railways is far behind as far as latest technologies are concerned.
“No doubt that the present regime, particularly the Federal Railways Minister has given serious consideration towards this important department and situation is far better than the past but still a lot of work is needed to be done”, Abdul Basit said.
The LCCI President urged the Federal Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique to adopt latest technologies for Pakistan Railways that would not only stop incidents but would also encourage local and foreign investment in this particular sector. He said that concerned staff should also be given full training for managing the things in a better way.
The LCCI President suggested forming a think tank comprising top notch private sector representatives and parliamentarians to formulate a framework of turning institutions like Pakistan Railways into a profitable and efficient public sector entity. He said that the proposed think tank should be tasked to prepare proposals including a methodology for right sizing of this institution that has grown out of proportions due to various reasons. .
“Railway Authorities should build public-private partnership for the improvement of railway infrastructure. Pakistan Railways should introduce state-of-the-art wagons which will not only enhance the profit of Pakistan Railways but will also reduce the time of goods movement”, the LCCI president concluded.
