The Pakistan Railways is considering attracting the private sector for investment to bring the government-owned entity out of the crises.
The railways authorities would give incentives to investors if they agree to repair and rehabilitate locomotives and tracks, an official of the Railways Ministry said.
He said the railways would sign agreement with the private sector for the purpose, while the investors would be able to use locomotives and tracks free of cost for freight services.
He clarified that the private sector would be bound to use the locomotive and tracks for personal use rather then plying it on rent.
The official said an agreement had already been signed with the National Logistic Cell (NLC), which would rehabilitate and repair as many as 20 dead locomotives from its own expenses.
He said the agreement between Railways and NLC was a pilot project which was singed on the special directives of Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour.
The minister had directed the Railways to take similar incentives with other private entities to make Pakistan Railways self-sufficient.
Who in the private sector has adequate let alone accurate experience of operating a Railway system in the country. To jump on this bandwagon will be many with their vested interest to milch the already dry bull. The only feasible solution is to invite party from outside by creating a Public Corporation with 51percent Pakistan public sharres and 49 percent to the outside party from a country that has vast experience in operating management of railways.
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