There remains no doubt that our leaders, both civilian and military, are devoid of any vision and long term planning. The present government has proven to be worse than previous governments. They have only one objective: to complete the five-year term. Now the country is at the brink of economic collapse and the state enterprises, like Pakistan Railways and PIA, are almost bankrupt.
The Pakistan Railways which was one of the main means of traveling and cargo transport used by the people has never been given the due priority. The cargo services, which was the main profit making source for the Railways, has been replaced by the National Logistic Cell that utilises road network for cargo services. The NLC is now also facing financial scandals.
Instead of first expanding and improving Railways services, our political leaders preferred to build motorways and roads to satisfy their personal preference although the Railways is considered all over the world the safest and most economical system of transportation of goods and public commuting.
Due to criminal negligence during the last 30 years, the Pakistan Railways has not able been to purchase good quality new engines and upgrading the railway track. It is now a hub of corruption and a victim of union politics where more than 12 union groups, which have virtually highjacked the organization and are not allowing its privatisation and improvement on the modern lines. The Pakistan Railways is overstaffed and its management is inefficient and corrupt. The world countries are now operating bullet and super speed trains with speeds well over 400 km/hour.
To salvage the PR, its management should be transferred to National Logistics Cell which should form a public-private partnership. The present tracks and trains operating on branch lines connecting different cities should be handed over to public-private partnership companies where the private sector is responsible for the management and operations.
A new railway track along the GT Road or Motorway be planned between Peshawar and Karachi for super speed trains with a speed to cover a distance between Karachi and Lahore between three to four hours. For this project, the international investors, local banks and local investors should provide finances and a private company should oversee its operations.
S T HUSSAIN
Lahore