Freight & Shipping

Pakistan Railways, which once claimed to be the lifeline of the country for catering to the large-scale transportation requirements of freight and passenger traffic, is now crippling for its life.

The government has so far failed to release a Rs 11.2 billion bailout package it committed in 2010. The only ray of hope is the private-public partnership initiative, which has been taken at the right time to rescue the largest public-sector department of the country.

First business train reached Karachi Cantt station 15 minute beyond schedule Saturday.

First business train which is joint venture of Pakistan Railway and a private company left Lahore Railway station 5 minutes before schedule and reached Karachi Cantt station 15 minutes late Saturday.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan Suhrab Hossain has said that Bangladesh making strenuous efforts for strengthening trade ties with Pakistan. More >

The negligence and delaying tactics of shipping companies in the country are not only causing huge losses to exporters but also affecting the country’s exports badly. Kinnow exporters, who have faced almost $0.35 million losses during last season due to the negligence and delayed handling of consignments, More >

Pakistan released 3,000 shipping containers carrying food items to Afghanistan, an Afghan minister said on Saturday. Minister for Trade Anwarul Haq Ahadi told the Afghan Islamic Press that some 2,600 containers blocked at Karachi and other parts of Pakistan had been allowed to move to Afghanistan without paying the insurance money following the intervention of Prime Minister Gilani. President Zardari during his recent visit to Kabul a few days back had promised to order the release of the containers.

Pakistan Nati-onal Shipping Corporation (PNSC) is exploring new avenues of trade in the international shipping market.

“Our next target is dry cargo in the European market,” said PNSC Chairman, Brig. (Retd) Rashid Siddiqui.

He said that various investment companies have offered joint ventures with the corporation to acquire more ships.

The PNSC Chairman said that international oil prices have also affected the shipping industry worldwide and many shipping companies have gone bankrupt or are suffering heavy losses.