By Commerce Reporter
LAHORE, November 04 —Pakistan has regained its reputation as a responsible and peace-loving country at the global level. “We are not terrorists but ambassadors of peace.” Since May 10, Pakistan’s international image has improved. Due to our successful foreign policy, the Middle East, China, and the United States are now looking at Pakistan from the same perspective, boosting Pakistan’s respect in the world.
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These views were expressed by the Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry, LCCI President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol, Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh, Vice President Khurram Lodhi, SAARC Chamber Vice President Mian Anjum Nisar, and Executive Committee members were also present.
Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi has said that now is the best time and opportunity to improve Pakistan’s economy. The business community should have confidence. When investment comes, industries will run and the country will progress.
Hanif Abbasi said that national security ensures national development. “We were once on the ventilator, but not anymore.” He said that cooperation between Railways and the Punjab Government is increasing, and the Prime Minister has given a special task for railway reforms. He said Chambers represent the business community, and people who call taxpayers thieves are themselves thieves. Stakeholders must be taken on board, and extra burden on taxpayers is unacceptable.
LCCI President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol said that upgrading railway lines is a welcome and critically important step for economic improvement. He said state-owned enterprises have massive potential but weak governance has caused annual losses of 800 to 900 billion rupees. Pakistan’s economy has derailed and the direction is not right.
In such conditions, it is essential to strengthen the transport sector because transport is the oxygen of any economy. He noted that 60% of Pakistan’s goods move to up-country, but due to an ineffective railway freight system, industries remain under pressure.
Industrial zones must be connected with the railway network to reduce logistics costs and make exports competitive.
He said that in Bangladesh, exports are given “ambulance-track” priority, but in Pakistan exporters do not receive such facilities, leading to a rising trade deficit. He appreciated the reopening of Badami Bagh warehouses as a business-friendly decision and said that improving facilities at railway stations is good, but the real benefit will only come when operations and service delivery match global standards.
SAARC Chamber Vice President Mian Anjum Nisar said that the world has made major advancements in railways, but government policies have severely hurt the private sector. Industry does not get support when facing losses — it must run profitably, otherwise it shuts down. Private sector participation and supportive policies are needed.
Hanif Abbasi further said that railway stations and the entire network are being upgraded. A total of 400 km of new track is being laid and 484 km is being uplifted. Two billion rupees have been allocated for upgrading the Lahore–Rawalpindi single track, with plans to reduce travel time between both cities to 2.5 hours. Development works are underway at major stations including Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and Rohri. Approval for the Rohri–Karachi upgrade worth 2 billion rupees will be granted in July.
The Narowal section and Lodhran station are also being uplifted, while 2500 km plantation from Shahdara to Raiwind will help improve the environment.
He said Pakistan is the only country where passenger revenue is higher than freight revenue, and this imbalance is being corrected. Railway hospitals and schools are being outsourced. The private sector will be allowed to run its own locomotives with track access. Coal trains are being added while railway will ensure efficient transportation of industrial materials including Reko Diq production. For the uplift of Balochistan railways, 3.5 billion rupees have been provided.
Jaffar Express continues to serve the nation despite terrorism threats. Railway revenues are continuously increasing and will keep rising.
Hanif Abbasi said that electricity and taxes are the highest in the region and measures will be taken to reduce them. When factories run, the country will run — the economy will recover fast, and important industrial and economic reforms will be introduced soon. “Such steps have never been taken before.
The business community should trust the railways and increase investment to support the government in the journey of development.”
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