President Alvi inaugurates local train service in Karachi

KARACHI: President Dr. Arif Alvi stressed on Wednesday that transparent governance system and conducive decisions are necessary for drawing investment to the country, as he lamented that railways, a basic means of passenger and goods transport in the world, suffered corruption in the country in the past.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Dhabeji Express -- a local train service from Karachi's Cantt. Station to Dhabeji, President Alvi noted that transport is one of the major problems of the metropolis, and emphasised upon the importance of Circular Railways to cater to the needs of the commercial hub of the country.

The President congratulated Railways Minister Shaikh Rashid and Pakistan Railways for launching Dhabeji train service. He stressed that the success of the train service depends on its punctuality, as a train cannot run if it does not follow its schedule.

He called upon industrialists to play their role for the success of this train facility and create awareness about this service among their labourers.

Lauding Federal Minister for Railways Shaikh Rashid's promptness, he said the way the railways minister is working, the issues of Pakistan Railways would be fixed.

President Alvi said water shortages and inadequate transport facilities are two top problems faced by the city. He said growing population and shrinking roads have made public transport a major challenge for the metropolis. He said Circular Railway is very necessary for Karachi. He said Shaikh Rashid would bring good news regarding railways for the people of Karachi.

He noted that rail transport witnessed immense progress in various other countries, but in Pakistan railways suffered corruption.

President Alvi said rail freight service was the cheapest, but today road transport is used in Pakistan for 80 to 90 per cent of goods transport.

He stressed the need for increasing freight transport capacity of Pakistan Railways to bring a large quantity of such transport back on rail network.

He said private sector is keen to invest in Pakistan, adding for investment a transparent governance system and conducive decisions are necessary.

In his speech, Federal Minister for Railways Shaikh Rashid said the launching of Dhabeji train service is an honour for Pakistan Railways, as labourers would benefit from this train service. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan had directed for this initiative. He pledged that freight transport facility would also be increased.

Shaikh Rashid said corruption is a major challenge for the country and eradication of this menace is vital for the progress of the country. He said the aim of improvement in railways is to facilitate common man.

He thanked the President for inaugurating Dhabeji train service.