FAISALABAD: President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) Farooq Yousaf Sheikh has welcomed Pakistan Railways’ decision to hand over the commercial management of its Cargo Express service to the private sector and urged the railway authorities to route the proposed train through Faisalabad to facilitate growing import and export requirements of this city.
In a statement here on Saturday, he said that according to the proposed arrangement, Cargo Express trains 505 Up and 506 Down would operate between Karachi and Rawalpindi/Peshawar, with the pre-bid meeting scheduled for October 15 and the deadline for submission of prequalification applications set for October 22.
Welcoming the initiative, FCCI President said that Faisalabad being a major industrial and export-oriented center should be incorporated into the Cargo Express route so that local exporters and importers could benefit directly from a faster and more efficient rail-based freight service.
He said that improved rail connectivity with Karachi’s ports and major markets would provide businesses with an additional transportation option and it also could facilitate the movement of export consignments and imported industrial inputs.
He said Faisalabad’s industrial base, particularly its textile and other manufacturing sectors, generated substantial requirements for the movement of raw materials, finished goods and other cargo, making reliable freight connectivity important for the city’s business community.
FCCI chief urged Pakistan Railways to consider Faisalabad while finalizing the operational route and freight-handling arrangements of the proposed Cargo Express service.
