Sir: More attention needed towards sorrow state of the Pakistan Railways and the problems faced by people when they travel through Railways.
Most of the trains are unable to leave the station on time. This is why whenever the Pakistan Railways is discussed it is always in a negative light. The organisation regularly incurs annual losses running into billions of rupees. There is dissatisfaction across the board among the organisation’s stakeholders regarding its operational efficiency and alleged corruption.
This is highly unfortunate that ticketing officers often issue the same berth and seat number to two persons and minting money. The cargo services are also hopeless but all is not lost yet.
Despite its bad shape and the decades of underinvestment and mismanagement that have turned it into what it is today, the Pakistan Railways can still turn itself around. Though Railways will require sizeable capital investment and should have checks on corruption as well as a modernization of operations.
First, however, the relevant authorities will have to take notice of the problems plaguing the Railways. If its problems are addressed and passengers concerns alleviated the Pakistan Railways can become a lucrative corporation.
MUHAMMAD NAMEER SIDDIQUI
Karachi