The Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Pakistan Railways have agreed to reconstitute railways advisory body for prompt resolution of business community issues. A senior official of Pakistan Railways has assured to launch special freight train from Karachi to Jamrud and reduction in freight rates following demand of the SCCI chief.

The agreement was made during a meeting between the SCCI president Engr Maqsood Anwar Pervaiz and Pakistan Railways Secretary/Chairman, Habib ur Rehman Gilani, which held here in the chamber house here on Thursday.

Engr Maqsood Anwar demanded the launch of special cargo train from Jamrud - district Khyber to Karachi, reduction freight rates, adoption of business-friendly policies, up gradation/improvement of PR lines and revival of Khyber Safari train. He went on to say that KP is lagging behind in industrialization due to location disadvantages and faraway of port from the province so this province has first right on Pakistan Railways, calling for launch of special cargo train from Karachi to Jamrud and cut down freight rates that would facilitate business community as well as boost up regional trade and making the PR a profitable organization.

Furthermore, SCCI chief stressed need of providing 20 per cent discount for Peshawar and Hayatabad, which was announced for recently operation Azakhel Dry port in Nowshera district. He hailed the present government steps for making the Pakistan Railways a profit making entity, hoping that PR will further function with procurement of new train engines and launch of Goods in Transit to Afghanistan, which can accelerate the export and import process. Besides, the launch of passengers' trains, he emphasized that revival of special cargo train is eminent in this regard.