New cargo, passenger trains: Joint efforts to be made to start: FCCI

FAISALABAD: Organized and collaborative efforts would be made in consultation with all concerned sectors to start new cargo and passenger trains to fulfill the needs of the local business community, said Qaisar Shams Gucha, Acting President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI).

He stated this while addressing a Coordination Committee mandated to contact CEO Pakistan Railways as a follow up of the recent visit of Hanif Abbasi, Federal Minister for Railways. The meeting decided that a joint committee of FCCI, FDPT, FIEDMC and Customs would be constituted in addition to involving CEO Railways. This committee would also formulate a strategy to start new passenger and cargo trains from Faisalabad.

Chairman Coordination Committee Muzammil Sultan requested FCCI to write down a letter to the Pakistan Railways suggesting that existing business and cargo trains currently operating between Lahore and Karachi may be diverted through Faisalabad. Meanwhile a joint meeting of FCCI, FIEDMC, Railways, FDTP and Customs would be convened to construct a dedicated substation and platforms in M3 Industrial Estate for the expeditious transportation of export and import cargo.

He said that FCCI should also write a letter to chairman FIEDMC to accept the membership of this committee. Similarly, letters should also be written to the PR to revive the executive lounge at Faisalabad Railways Station and restoration of quota in different trains for FCCI members.

The meeting was attended by Mian Muhammad Latif, Executive Members Mirza Zahid Iqbal, Engineer Bilal Jamil and Faisal Pracha who also gave their input.

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