Pakistan Railways and ICCI Partner to Outsource Dry Port

Pakistan Railways (PR) and the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) have formalized an agreement to outsource the Railways’ dry port operations to the Chamber.

During a meeting held on Wednesday with the ICCI delegation, Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi emphasized that this collaboration seeks to generate new business prospects and augment the nation’s financial resources.

The meeting facilitated discussions between the minister and the ICCI delegation regarding strategies for the advancement and modernization of Pakistan Railways. The Divisional Superintendent Rawalpindi provided a briefing to the minister, outlining the Railways’ assets in Rawalpindi and underscoring key strategic approaches designed to foster the expansion and modernization of Pakistan Railways.

Minister Abbasi has given the green light to the Freight Train project, designed to expedite goods delivery between Karachi and Rawalpindi to a timeframe of fewer than four days. This initiative is intended to ease the increasing strain on road infrastructure and enhance transportation options for the public.

“In a mere 1.5 years, we have accomplished milestones that remained unattained for the past two decades. We are optimally leveraging our resources to steer Pakistan Railways towards a revitalized and robust trajectory,” Abbasi affirmed. The Freight Train project is projected to not only boost Pakistan Railways’ earnings but also stimulate the nation’s overall economic progress.

In addition, Minister Abbasi revealed plans to conduct roadshows across all Pakistan Railways divisions. He has directed all Divisional Superintendents to engage with their respective Chambers of Commerce to cultivate robust partnerships and pursue mutually advantageous collaborations. “Working in unison, we shall elevate the prospects of Pakistan Railways and unlock avenues for collaboration.”

Furthermore, Abbasi announced an agreement with RWMC for the provision of cleaning services at three Rawalpindi stations at competitive rates. He highlighted, “Cleanliness constitutes a significant aspect of faith, and our foremost responsibility is to deliver exceptional travel amenities to our valued passengers.” He concluded, “We are establishing a legacy that will serve as a precious inheritance for generations to come.”