Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) has expressed deep concern over government’s ability to ensure adequate supply of diesel to Pakistan Railways, bringing a halt to the functioning of all trains, putting commuters into troubles and denting business activities relating to transportation.
In a statement issued here on Friday, PIAF Chairman Sohail Lashari said lack of proper planning, bad governance, corruption and non-availability of gas and electricity, have jolted the very basis of the country. The government should immediately initiate consultation with the private sector to bring back the lost glory to all state owned enterprises.
PIAF chairman said the railway systems of the neghbouring country, were generating a profit of billions of dollars while, not only Pakistan Railways, but the national flag-carrier is also making huge losses.
He said 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. While citing the stats, he said approximately 65 million passengers annually travel through Pakistan Railways while, important items like petroleum products, oil, wheat, coal, fertilisers, cement, sugar and thousands others are also distributed. Pakistan Railways is still facing grave losses despite being largest institution of the country.
Indian Railways is the 4th largest railway network after United States, Russia and China. If Indian Railways can turn into a profitable institution then Pakistan Railways can also be one of them, he added.
PIAF Chairman urged the government to take strict measures to make Pakistan Railways corruption-free, as the menace of corruption is pushing this institution towards destruction. He said as long as this institution would not purge of corruption, it is impossible to put it on the path of development therefore, government should take concrete measures in this regard. Also, the private sector has the ability to turn these institutions into profit therefore; these people should be taken on board to get rid of the problems being faced by Pakistan Railways and PIA.
