KARACHI: Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor has said Pakistan should adopt a long-term strategy for developing an integrated network of rail- and road-based dedicated freight corridors linking Karachi Port and Port Qasim with industrial estates, export processing zones, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), dry ports, logistics parks and the national highway and railway network.
Separating heavy freight traffic from passenger traffic would reduce transport costs, shorten transit times, improve road safety, lower fuel consumption and emissions, and significantly enhance the competitiveness of Pakistani exports.
Congested roads and outdated railway network slow down movement of goods to and from the port, stressing the need that the megacity must have dedicated freight corridors to stay competitive, said Altaf Shakoor here on Sunday.
He said Karachi is Pakistan’s commercial capital and the gateway to the overwhelming majority of the country’s international trade. Every day, thousands of containers and heavy vehicles move between Karachi Port, Port Qasim and industrial and commercial centres across the country.
Yet, freight movement continued to depend largely on congested urban roads shared with passenger traffic. “The resulting delays, traffic congestion, road deterioration, accidents, environmental pollution and high logistics costs impose a substantial burden on the national economy.”
He said as Pakistan sought to expand exports, strengthen industry and improve regional connectivity, the development of dedicated freight corridors should become a national infrastructure priority.
An efficient freight transport system was as important to economic growth as ports, airports and motorways. Without dedicated freight corridors, the full economic potential of Pakistan’s ports and industrial investments cannot be realized.
He said the ongoing construction of the dedicated rail freight corridor from Karachi Port to Pipri Marshalling Yard was a highly commendable initiative. It represented an important milestone in the modernisation of Pakistan’s freight transport system and deserved full support of all stakeholders.
Every effort should be made to ensure its completion at the earliest so that its economic and operational benefits were realized without delay. More importantly, this project should serve as the first phase of a broader national programme for developing dedicated freight rail corridors linking Karachi with major industrial and commercial centres throughout Pakistan.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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