If Pakistan Railways is not purged of corrupt, dishonest and incompetent elements, the day is not far when one of the largest and strategically important institutions of the country will be debilitated beyond remedy and the ministry seems least interested in taking corrective measures. This was stated by the former Chairman of Pakistan Poultry Association and former LCCI Senior Vice President Abdul Basit while talking to a group of businessmen who called on him at his office on Friday. Abdul Basit said that Pakistan Railways is one of the largest institutions of the country as it is an essential source for the transportation of passengers and industrial goods across the country. While citing stats, he said that approximately 65 million passengers annually travel through Pakistan Railways while important items like petroleum products, wheat, coal, fertilizers, cement, sugar and thousands of other products are distributed through the institution. He said that despite being one of the most important institution, Pakistan Railways is facing the worst loss in history and has suffered losses more than Rs52 billion in the last three years.
Abdul Basit said that if Indian Government can initiate such result-oriented reforms then Pakistan can do the same provided the government shows willingness to implement reforms. He said that both public and private sectors of Pakistan are on the same page that all 22 Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) are making losses of approximately Rs400 billion annually, should be restructured so that this money which is going down the drain could be utilized for the betterment of the country.
The former PPA Chairman and former LCCI Senior Vice President urged the government to take solid measures to make Pakistan Railways corruption-free as the menace of corruption is pushing this institution towards destruction. He said that as long as this institution would not purge corruption, it would be impossible to take corrective measures. He suggested that a think tank comprising of top economists, private sector representatives and parliamentarians should immediately be formed to suggest and formulate a framework of turning institutions like Pakistan Railways into a profit generating entity.
Abdul Basit argued that if Indian Railways could be turned into a profitable institution then why can the same not be done for Pakistan Railways? He said that Indian Railways is the 4th largest railway network after United States, Russia and China. Indian Railways was on the verge of bankruptcy a few years back but today, he said, it is the second largest profit making institution in India. In 2004, renowned Indian politician Lalu Parasad Yadav, took charge as Railways Minister as a challenge since the situation was so pathetic that no one was ready to accept the designation.
Pakistan Railway Minister should be asked by the President and Prime Minister to take appropriate deficit-control measures instead of closing various rail routes. He said that the factors behind this huge loss should be identified without any further delay. Railway Authorities should build public-private partnership for the improvement of railway infrastructure he said. Pakistan Railways should introduce state-of-the-art wagons which will not only enhance profit but will also reduce the time of goods movement. Abdul Basit said that Pakistan Railways has the potential to become a profitable organization but lack of interest of the Railway Ministry, lack of planning and mismanagement are coming in the way. He said that Pakistan Railways will have to work under a well-planned strategy otherwise it would keep falling deteriorating while the jobs of thousands people associated with PR would be at stake. He said that if Railway Ministry is not interested to get issues of Pakistan Railways resolved than this important institution should be privatized as the private sector of the country has the ability to save it.
Pakistan Railways suffers losses of Rs52b
