Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI, has demandedthat Pakistan railways should offer reliable, cost-effective andexpanded cargo services to the business, industry and trade community ofPakistan from Karachi to up country; as Karachi is country’s industrial and trade hub.
It has been a longstanding demand aimed at capitalizing on the railway’sdifferential advantages over conventional trucks, he added.
Atif Ikram Sheikh explained that rail-based cargo transportation is notonly cost-effective; but, also has enormously high carrying capacity –making it the mode of choice for most of the developed countries wherethey have to cover long stretches of land in inter-city, inter-state or province and even intra-city destinations.
It is pertinent to note that the business community has held a detailed,consultative meeting with Mr. Abdul Rasheed Solangi, SecretaryIndustries & Commerce (I&C), Government of Sindh, over the goodstransportation issues. Mr. Aman Paracha, VP FPCCI, represented FPCCI’s President.
Atif Ikram Sheikh stressed that the roads infrastructure from industrialareas to ports should be revamped as industries in Karachi suffer on adaily basis. Additionally, vendors supplying to major markets fromindustrial areas also face broken roads. Therefore, the transportation network in and around industrial areas needs immediate attention.
Aman Paracha maintained that Karachi demands a proper, world-class roadinfrastructure to transport goods to rest of the country as NorthernBypass is a single-track highway; which subsequently connects to M – 9and rest of the country. We need to have multiple options that remainoperational 24 / 7 to cater to the needs of the consumers in the lengthand breadth of the country or, alternatively, Northern Bypass should beexpanded at the earliest.
Aman Paracha further added that the government only allows 6 hours ofcargo transportation in Karachi – and, we need to have a 3 – 4 laneNorthern Bypass to enable the goods to swiftly reach M – 9 throughNorthern Bypass within those 6 hours.
Abdul Rasheed Solangi called upon the business community to installweight stations for the effective implementation of the axle load regimeat the points of origin at all industrial zones. Industrialists updatedthe secretary I&C that weighing stations have already been installed and they are cooperating with the authorities. Nonetheless, now it isgovernment’s turn to facilitate the good transportation.
Aman Paracha stressed that the lingering issues of trade & industryvis-à-vis Karachi’s transportation and communications infrastructureshould be addressed on priority; and, be brought at par with at leastregional and sub-regional competitors.
The city contributes upwards of 60 percent of country’s total revenuesand federal & provincial governments must pool their resources toprotect the struggling economic activities of the metropolis.—NNI
