Infrastructure and Transport News

[Neo]

‘Poor investment in infrastructure impedes growth’​

ISLAMABAD: Low investment and politically motivated projects for infrastructure development schemes are responsible for lower economic growth of the country, experts told Daily Times here on Saturday.

Weak economic conditions, poor planning and mismanagement are biggest challenges for sustaining growth in Pakistan.

Over the years successive governments failed to realise the impact of increased growth on existing infrastructure. Resultantly the economic growth of Pakistan has followed boom and bust path during its history. This unpredictable pattern of growth was still prevailing mainly due to myopic policies of planners in the country, they maintained.

Development of new infrastructure has a more tragic tale. Political incentives have remained prime driver behind most of infrastructure projects. To absorb, support and sustain increase in growth needs massive supporting infrastructure—something Pakistan failed to have in place despite the famous five years plans.

Development of infrastructure was not sustained in energy, water, irrigation, engineering sectors. Although communication and IT infrastructure experienced steady growth during last five years but these two sectors could not meet the challenge of overall sustained growth as both have massive foreign input both finically and technically.

The country is confronted with water shortage for its cultivated lands. Along with other politically affected regional hazards, lack of modern irrigation infrastructure is a major setback for sustained agricultural growth.

Apart from political instability, terrorism, regional tensions and mismanagement there exists an even bigger fault line within planners about coming up with ideas on how to counter emerging economic challenges as a result of growing population, trade competition among many others.

Investment in infrastructure development has proven to be a successful model for reviving economies in the world. Pakistan could not sustain its growth over the time due to lack of supporting infrastructure. There is a need to understand what impact a poor infrastructure has already made on economy and national growth and its sustainability before devising any strategy on how to harness infrastructure development.

Ignoring energy and water infrastructure have affected foreign direct investment. Not only international but also local investors are also keeping their fingers crossed as situation regarding availability of basic facilities is getting worse. Energy shortfall has reached up to more than 3000MW and industrial cities like Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad were among most affected

Infrastructure development also improves local conditions for foreign investment into other areas like industry and trade. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have been accepted as a framework for measuring development progress in countries in the world. Role of infrastructure is imperative in achieving these goals set by UN, the experts maintained. The infrastructure development would allow the country to get closer to its MDGs set for 2015 in terms of water supplies, sanitation, health and education.

Importance of infrastructure was imperative for a sustained growth in the country. There were challenges in the way but equal opportunities were also there. Pakistan could bring itself out of foreign financial leverages through using its ideal geographic location. Infrastructure was one weak link in this route of prosperity for people. Both government and private sectors would have to join hands in this effort. Government holds the key to formulate policies so that it could provide a level playing field to private sector to invest more in infrastructure development of the country, they concluded.

 

[Neo]

Karachi, Lahore now have 8-digit phone numbers ​

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has devised a comprehensive numbering plan to accommodate growing telephone users especially in the major cities of the country.

As part of the plan, the fixed line numbers of PTCL, NTC as well as Wireless Local Loop (WLL) numbers of Karachi and Lahore has successfully been changed from 7 digits to 8 digits, official press release revealed here on Tuesday.

According to details, the digit “3” was added to all the existing seven-digit telephone numbers of Karachi and Lahore except the numbers starting from “9”, while the digit “9” was added to all the existing numbers starting from “9”. At present both old and new numbers can be dialed for a period of three months in parallel operation, however only new numbers would be dialable after three months. The PTA had been conducting successful tests and trials since last month to implement successful launch and to make sure consumers don’t get effected due to the change.

A parallel operation of old and new numbers would remain in action, from July 1 to Sep 30, 2009, that means subscribers would be able to dial old as well as new numbers. From October 1, old numbers cannot be dialed and announcements for the addition of one digit before any dialed number of Lahore and Karachi will start working for users. It may be mentioned that “National Numbering Plan 2008” was prepared by the PTA with extensive research and inputs of technical experts. The said plan was circulated to the industry for consultation and after receiving comments from all stakeholders PTA finalised it.

Moreover, 7 to 8 Digits Fixed Number Migration Plan would be implemented in a phased manner all over the country. In Phase-1, FLL and WLL operators in Karachi and Lahore would migrate from 7 digits to 8 digits dialling format.

 

[Neo]

PIA waiting for govt nod for 27 new planes: MD ​

Saturday, July 11, 2009

MULTAN: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Managing Director Captain Muhammad Ijaz Haroon said on Friday that the national flag carrier was waiting for the government’s approval to induct 27 new planes into its fleet in five years.

Talking to media persons here, he said the government was extending full support to the PIA and there was no political influence in recruitments and postings.

To a question, he said as per PIA law, new pilots had to perform their duty on contract basis for three years and the decision to regularise their services is taken on the basis of their performance.

To another question, he said he was also a pilot but no one including pilots should be given preferential treatment. He said that if pilots committed a mistake, they would have to face accountability.

Haroon said efforts were being made to get planes on lease but added that there existed some problems in its way. He said the market share of PIA had increased by two per cent in comparison to last year, but the PIA was still facing Rs30 billion deficit per year including Rs26 billion caused by increase in foreign exchange rates.

Our correspondent adds from Karachi: The International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI) and the Royal Aeronautical Society (Pakistan Division) co-hosted a seminar on aviation safety on Friday at a hotel in Multan.

Sponsored by the PIA, it coincided with the third anniversary of PIA Fokker crash on July 10, 2006, as a mark of commemoration, said a PIA handout issued here.

PIA Managing Director Capt Aijaz Haroon said the Multan Fokker crash was a tragic and unfortunate incident, which would be remembered by the entire airline. He said that PIA’s foremost priority is the safety of its passengers and special attention is being paid to safety standards at the airline.

The PIA has successfully renewed its IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registration. He said the PIA would organise a safety seminar each year in Multan. A memorial would also be placed at the Multan airport that would be shortly built with the cooperation of the CAA.

Papers were presented by the officials of PIA, CAA, Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air force, Airblue, Pakistan State Oil, Shaheen Air International, Singapore Accident Investigation Board and International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI).

 

[Neo]

EPA approves $1.58 billion KCR project study ​

KARACHI (July 16 2009): The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the Environmental Impact Assessment Study (EIAS) for $1.58 billion Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project. Moreover, the Karachi Urban Transport Corporation (KUTC) is also likely to complete the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) for the rehabilitation of the affected persons by the mid of September 2009.

According to sources, the EIAS had been completed with the Special Assistance for Project Formation (SAPROF), etc, led by a group of Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro), with a delay of at least five months. Beside the environmental studies, sources said that resettlement of thousands of families, widely spread along the railway line in the last few years, was the big issue for the concerned authority.

For that the process such as getting satellite images of the KCR track from Suparco, data collection from different sources regarding the actual figures of the encroachers and meeting with different groups of people who were living on the encroached lands, was also in progress, they added. They said that at least two Japanese experts of the resettlement process were also likely to visit Pakistan by the first week of next month. The Japanese group was also reviewing the resettlement process of the victims of Lyari Expressway and others in the city to peacefully handle the issue, they added.

The RAP study, a socio-economic survey, was also being prepared to collect demographic conditions of the project area, with guidelines of Japan International Co-operation Agency (Jica) and the World Bank. The KCR project being funded by Japan Bank of International Co-operation (JBIC) was also bound to follow the guidelines of the Japanese agency.

They further said that discussions were also going on with the Board of Revenue to get at least 300 acres of land, which was needed at over 700 points of the project. The PC-I based on the fresh study conducted by a survey team of Jica for the revival of the KCR was yet to be approved by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP).

The current study, conducted by a Japanese team from the ministry of economy, trade & industry, government of Japan, adds some new developments. Japan, as a first parameter, would dualise KCR's 30-km loop with modern signalling and telecommunication system.

At least two dedicated tracks along with the main line from City (Railway) Station to Drigh Road Station of 14.5 kms, which would later be linked to the airport with a distance of 6kms, at a cost of $179.464 million. They said Karachi Urban Transport Corporation (KUTC) would be the vehicle for the implementation of the project having on its Board the senior officials of Pakistan Railways, Government of Sindh and City District Government Karachi (CDGK).

 

[Hyde]

Railways, French companies finalising equipment import terms today ​

ISLAMABAD (July 24 2009): Pakistan Railways and France will finalise the import of rail equipment on Friday (today) as agreed in a meeting of the representatives of leading French companies GEISMAR and CORUS Rail with Federal Minister for Railway Ghulam Ahmad Bilour here on Thursday.

It was also agreed that the next meeting of the French delegation would be held on Friday (today) in Lahore with Chief Engineer Railways and the Executive Committee, which will finalise the import of rail equipment from France. The commercial Manager of CORUS Dominique Chiesura and Director General of GEISMAR, Danial Geismar briefed the Federal Minister and Secretary Railways about the modern equipment and machinery being manufactured by their companies especially for track laying, track maintenance and other rail related equipment.

Federal Minister reiterated, "we want to establish Pakistan Railways on reliable and strong footings for general masses by improving its tracks." He said that Pakistan Railway expects from France government to allocate some funds for its uplift as France in one of the main friends' donor countries of Pakistan.

The Secretary Railways Sami-ul-Haq Khilji also appreciated the French rail system and said that technical co-operation and business between the two countries in rail sector will help in improving its track, which automatically will enhance the speed of trains. It may be recalled that these rail companies are the part of French delegation led by Anne-Marie Idrac, Minister of State for External Trade, which is on an official visit to Pakistan nowadays.

---------- Post added at 02:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:50 PM ----------

First container train from Islamabad to Turkey on August 14​

LAHORE (July 24 2009): Pakistan Railways is running first international container train from Islamabad to Istanbul, Turkey on August 14. General Manager, Pakistan Railways, Saeed Akhtar who recently visited Turkey in connection with finalising arrangements for running the train said Pakistan and Iran had agreed to tariff proposed by Turkey.

Talking to APP here on Thursday, he said matters pertaining to customs and technical issues had also been finalised by the three countries and the first container train would run as 'demonstrative one' He said the train being run under ECO, would comprise 20 containers (coaches) of 20 feet each which would take 15 days to reach its destination. He said it would run for 104 hours in Pakistan, 127 hours in Iran and 135 hours in Turkey and would provide a link to Europe and central Asian states.

He said initial response of business community was very good and hopefully enough cargo would be available for running train on weekly basis. He said, as Islamabad was not the trade centre of the country, train on regular basis would be run from Lahore or Faisalabad.

 

[ajpirzada]

we should start thinkin about runing our trains on electricity. all these diesel and other fuel based trains are really poor in quality.

 

[Omar1984]

Railways share in transportation sector to rise to 15 percent
​

LAHORE, July 26,(APP): Pakistan Railways is implementing a comprehensive plan to increase its share in goods transportation sector from five percent to 15 percent during the next two years.Additional General Manager Traffic, Pakistan Railways Junaid Qureshi told APP here that presently 95 percent cargo hauling is being carried out by road sector while Railways share is only five percent.

He said Railways’ share in transportation sector kept on declining in the past as due attention was not given to its freight sector.
However, he said, with the introduction of big and high speed freight coaches, Railways have already started regaining its share.

He said about 1300 imported 8-wheel coaches have already been inducted which has lead to increasing speed of freight trains from 35km per hour to around 60 km per hour.

He said another 530 more high speed coaches would be pressed into service which would help achieve the speed of 90 KM per hour.

He said a phased programme is also being carried out for introducing 75 new locomotives for hauling freight trains.

He said while locomotives of goods trains have tracking system, freight coaches would also be equipped with it which would enable traders to know exact location of their consignments any time during movement of trains.

He said the plan for allowing private entrepreneurs to operate freight trains is also being pursued under which private sector would bring its rolling stock and use railways track and other facilities on access charges basis.

He said 8 parties/companies have already pre qualified for it while pre bid conference would be held during next 10 days.

About dry ports, he said while NLC’s and Packages dry ports are already operational, another one is under construction at Prem Nagar near here. Construction of a dry port at Aza Khela near Peshawar is also under consideration, told the AGM.

 

[Omar1984]

‘Punjab will launch bus service for tourists’ ​

Staff Report

LAHORE: Keeping in view the importance of Lahore as the cultural capital of South Asia, the Punjab government will be launching a bus service for tourists in the city very soon, Tourism and Food Minister Malik Nadeem Kamran said.

He was presiding over a meeting to review the final arrangements of the project in Lahore.

He said Lahore reflected a rich cultural heritage and splendour of different ages, which adds to the beauty of its culture. “International tourists should also experience our cultural heritage in a more befitting and organised manner,” he said, adding that the government had decided to launch the project for the same purpose.

Kamran said the buses would introduce tourists to historical and cultural heritage of the city. He said the project had been initially launched in Lahore and if the experiment proved successful, the number of buses would be increased. He said tourist bus service would be called “Aik Din Sadiyon Ka Safar”.

He said the Tourism Department had sent the summary to the chief minister requesting him to inaugurate the project as early as possible. He said Punjab has a number of historic sites and its centuries’ old archeological buildings attract a large number of tourists. He said the Punjab government was taking these steps to attract further investment in the tourism sector.

 

[Omar1984]

‘Quetta-Zahedan train service to increase bilateral trade’ ​

LAHORE: A trial train container service between Quetta and Zahedan is being started from August 14, 2009 to help increase the volume of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Iran. Iranian Consul General, Saeed Kharazi stated while speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday. LCCI President, Mian Muzaffar Ali, General Manager Railways, Saeed Akhtar, Convener LCCI Standing Committee on Transport Facilitation and National Trade, Mohammad Anwar also spoke on the occasion. The Iranian Consul General said that the container service would be made permanent on the completion of this test run. He said that present Iranian regime was making all possible efforts to improve trade relations with all its neighbours and the train container service would be a positive step towards the desired direction. The LCCI President said that the international container train from Pakistan to Turkey via Iran and Passenger Bus Service between Lahore and Mashhad would definitely result in an increment of socio-economic activities in the region. At present Lahore has only one Air link with Mashhad, our international trade with Iran and Turkey have been all through land routes of Taftan and Mirjaveh Borders as well as sea routes. The successful operation of international container train from Pakistan to Turkey will ultimately link Europe and CIS countries to this region via rail routes and will enhance our international trade as well, he added. staff report

 

[Omar1984]

CNG buses pilot project gets going ​

Staff Report

KARACHI: The CNG buses pilot project, worth Rs 250 million, was launched on Monday.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan and City Nazim Mustafa Kamal inaugurated the project in Sarjani Town.

There would be 50 CNG buses covering two routes initially. Two different manufacturers, each providing 25 buses, have made these CNG buses locally. The CDGK has already paid the full cost for the buses.

The purpose of putting CNG buses on the roads is to ensure that the citizens were provided with an urbanised transport system and in this regard, the CDGK has already started operating an e-ticketing facility, as these buses will not have conductors. The passengers will be able to buy travelling coupons from e-ticket booths established at different locations on the prescribed routes.

Talking to the media on the inauguration ceremony, the governor said that Kamal has proved that he is a true leader who has served the citizens with great fervour and spirit. Today, he has achieved one more of his goals by providing citizens with CNG buses.

In his address, Kamal appealed to President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to help stop bureaucracy, at the federal and provincial levels, from creating impediments in the city’s development projects.

It is pertinent to mention that the federal government had announced a countrywide plan for putting CNG buses on the roads, with a total cost of Rs 2.5 billion for 8,000 buses (5,000 large CNG busses and 3,000 small CNG buses), out of which 800 were set aside for Karachi but initially only 500 were supposed to run in the city. However, the project could not start, following which the city nazim drew a plan for running CNG buses in Karachi under a self-reliance programme.

 

[Omar1984]

Bara Dam to irrigate 41,729 acres, generate 5.8MW power ​

By Ijaz Kakakhel

ISLAMABAD: To ensure irrigation of 41729 acres of land in FATA and to generate 5.8 MW much needed electricity, the government plans to construct “Bara Multipurpose Project Khyber Agency FATA”.

The scheme would cost the government Rs 20.651 billion through Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). The project was located in Khyber Agency FATA on Bara River. The propose dam axis was located about one km downstream of the confluence of Bara River with Mastura River and 3.07 km upstream of the diversion weir of Bara River Canals Scheme (BRCS). The reservoir of the propose dam extends both in Bara and Mastura valleys.

The project is expected to meet the irrigation needs of 41729 acres of cultivable command area, assures releases in the river to meet the water supply needs of Peshawar Cantonment and industrial units dependent on the river water. It will also produce 5400 million gallon per year of treated water to meet the drinking water needs of adjoining areas of FATA and Peshawar. In addition, with the project development, flood damages along the downstream reaches of Bara River will be avoided. A powerhouse is proposed at the outlet having a capacity of 4.8 MW and another of 1 MW.

The project envisages construction of an earth core fill dam, as being the most economical and technically viable option considering the site-specific conditions. The recommended site for dam construction is located just downstream of the confluence of Bara and Mastura rivers about 3.7 km upstream of the existing weir (locally known as Sapera Dam). The dead storage capacity of 22929 acre-ft is provided, which is sufficient for 35 year.

According to the working paper obtained by Daily Times reveals that the about 50% of the live storage would be lost in about 65 years. Overall life of the reservoir is envisaged to be about 100 years. The design life of the dam is more than 50 years.

The working paper further reveals that the economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) is 19.08 percent, which exceeds 12 percent opportunity cost of capital in Pakistan presently being used by Planning and Development Division, Islamabad. With the completion of the project, the government would be able to develop 155 tons of fish as well as to control the flash flood.

The government has earmarked an amount of Rs.200 million in the PSDP 2009-10. The Special Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on 17th of this month already approved the project and the ECNEC likely to approve in its meeting scheduled to meet in August 2009.

The construction of Bara Dam is endorsed in the context of national Strategy to harness flood waters for irrigation and other purpose through construction of small dams and is one of the Prime Ministers Programme of Small/Medium dams in the country. Prime Minister has also desired the quick response on implementation of this project on fast track basis for completion of the project in stipulate time period.

Water and Power Development Authority and Fata Development Authority are the sponsoring agency for the project and WAPDA is the executing agency.

 

[Hyde]

'Pakistan and China to cooperate for modernisation of Railways'​

BEIJING (July 29 2009): Pakistan and China have agreed to cooperate for modernisation of Pakistan Railways network, said Railways Minister Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour. Haji Bilour who is currently visiting China at the invitation of Chinese government while talking to APP said Tuesday that during his meeting with Chinese Railways Minister Liu Zhi Jun he exchanged views with him on modernisation, strengthening and converting existing Pakistan Railways tracks to meet the international standard.

He said that the Chinese has agreed and assured their readiness for co-operation for modernisation of Pakistan Railways. It has also been decided to constitute a consortium in this regard in which both Pakistan and China will be partners. He pointed out that China has nominated their experts to help assist Pakistani side for carrying out technical feasibility studies for co-operation and modernisation of railways projects.

The projects would be put on place under BOO (Build-Own-Operate) basis, he noted. Bilour said that Pakistan Railways wanted to strengthening and expansion of Torkham railway line to meet the international standard, Quetta-Chaman-Kandahar section, Quetta-Iran, and Quetta-Peshawar railway link via Zhob- D I Khan-Bakhar.

He pointed out that by doing so we would be able to help better facilitate passenger traffic and transportation of cargo from Gwadar port to various parts of the country as well as adjoining regional countries. Bilour said that by replacing the existing Karachi-Peshawar track to meet the international standard, Pakistan Railways would be able to facilitate people of the two provinces to have comfortable journey and swift transportation of cargo from Karachi port.

The Chinese sides during the meeting stressed the need for initiation of laying a railway network from Havalian to Khanjrab pass on priority. The railways minister said that Chinese side emphasised the need for early laying of Torkham-Jalalabad railway track as they wanted to connect this section with Afghanistan so that they could use the Pakistan Railways network for transporting their goods and equipment for development of copper mines and various other projects launched in Afghanistan. He said that Pakistan Railways has already acquired 1300 high-speed goods wagons and plans to obtain eight hundred more such wagons.

 

[Hyde]

Ibad inaugurates 13-km road linking Super Highway with Sharea Faisal​

KARACHI (July 29 2009): Sindh Governor, Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan on Tuesday announced that work on Mass Transit System will start soon and technical hitches in the way of the project have removed after directives from President Asif Ali Zardari and a headway will be made in the matter shortly.

He described the new road from Super Highway to Sharea Faisal a best gift for the people of the country which would greatly facilitate them and also extend full help in maintaining traffic flow after linked with Corridor-III. He was addressing a ceremony at Malir cantonment after inaugurating the 12.60 Kms long road from Super Highway to Sharea Faisal along with City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal.

Earlier the Governor and the City Nazim unveiled the plaque at the junction of Super highway Toll Plaza and Malir Cantt. Base Commander Malir Brigadier Nusrat Hayat, DCO Javed Hanif Khan, MNAs, MPAs, Town Nazims, EDOs, civil and military officials besides elected representatives and a large number of people were also present on the occasion.

Governor said this was one of those projects, which suffered stalemate because of various factors. However, at various stages, three former Corp Commanders, GCO Malir and other concerned officers played a key role in continuing the project and leading it to completion while the funding problem was solved by former President Pervez Musharraf who took special interest.

The Governor felicitated Nazim Mustafa Kamal and his team that Corridors I and II and other mega projects were completed under his leadership while Corridor-III was also in the final stage of completion. He said if old and present day Karachi is compared, one could see extraordinary work having been done here for which citizens of Karachi deserve felicitations along with City Government. He announced that all projects including Elevated Expressway and Mass Transit would also see completion.

Earlier addressing the ceremony City Nazim Mustafa Kamal said this project was completed with 100 percent federal government funding and has cost Rs 1.2 billion. He pointed out that this project was started before his becoming Nazim of Karachi. However, Governor Ishrat-ul-Ibad has remained a part of this project from the beginning and it reached completion because of his special efforts and people got a major facility.

He said that Malir Cantonment administration too deserve felicitation for this project which allowed the road to pass through their area and extended complete co-operation for its completion. He said after its completion, lacs of people of Shah Faisal Colony, Landhi, DHA, Korangi, Malir, KDA Scheme-33 and Gulshan-e-Iqbal will have a quality road to directly reach Super Highway instead of going to Sohrab Goth.

 

[Hyde]

Chairman Railways announces measures to upgrade system ​

LAHORE (August 02 2009): Chairman Pakistan Railways, Sami-ul-Haq Khilji said that the deficit of the Railways had swelled to Rs 52 billion, including 35 billion of overdrafts of the State Bank of Pakistan. The government, despite limited resources, had decided, with firm determination, to provide better facilities to passengers and a new train service would be initiated soon, with public-private partnership.

While talking to reporters on Saturday, at the Railway headquarter, Sami said that retired Railways employees would be provided houses at easy instalments, after retirement, so that they might spend a peaceful life. The Railways had completed a survey of more than 12 big cities for the construction of housing societies on the land of the Railways.

The Chairman Railways announced Rs 200,000 for the family of the deceased railway employee, Ghulam Rasool, who expired yesterday in hospital, because of the brutal torture of the police, during a protest against the termination of his colleagues' services. He also announced inducting his two brothers into the Railways.

He said that 100 Locomotives Engines had been added for Cargo Service, while 160 would be used for Passenger service, to reduce the shortage of locomotives and regularise the Passenger train service. He further said that 202 new coaches were being imported from China to provide satisfactory services to passengers and a contract had been finalised with a Chinese firm for it. The "Mass Transit Train System" would also be introduced in big cities across the country, as in Lahore , Islamabad, Faisalabad, Multan etc he maintained.

He said that the Minister Railway, its Chairman and other high officials would hold open court at the Railway Stations of prominent cities to redress the grievances of the employees and the passengers and he, himself, would start this by holding an open court at the Lahore Railway Station next week.

In reply to a question, he said that the signal system at more than 65 Railway junctions was being repaired, which would be helpful in regularising the departure and arrival of trains.

He said that the trade union had the right, under law, to protest for their demands. The Chairman Railways said that the legal demands of workers would be accepted and their problems would be solved to avoid, in future, such tragic incidents of the loss of lives, as that of Ghulam Rasool he added. Replying to a question regarding the police baton charge on workers, he said, that the Station House Officer ( SHO) had been suspended and the concerned Superintendent of Police had been transferred.

 

[Hyde]

International Container Train to be inaugurated on August 14: Pakistan Railways starts booking consignments ​

LAHORE (August 05 2009): Pakistan Railways (PR) has started booking consignments for its international container train to be inaugurated on August 14, which would run from Islamabad to Turkey via Tehran. The train being run under Economic Co-operation Organisation (ECO) will consist of 20 containers with the capacity around 750 tons.

Chief Marketing Manager Freight, Pakistan Railways, Imtiaz Hussain Rizvi talking to APP here on Tuesday said, "We have contacts with the traders and hopefully freight for the train would be secured by August 10." However, he said, in case cargo is not obtained as per full capacity of the container train till August 10, booking would continue upto August 14.

He said, "We hope that traders from Lahore, Faisalabad and Islamabad would prefer to send their consignments by train as it would take 15 days to reach Turkey against ship which takes about a month." Regarding tariff, he said, for the first train, which is demonstrative one Pakistan Railways has accepted the same tariff, which is being charged in Turkey and Iran. "However, after running the first train, we would review it", he said.