A press report says a new railway service is being contemplated between federal capital and Rawalpindi. The railway authority must get its priorities right. There are many other things which deserve far more their attention than this new project.
There is a dire need to lay new railway tracks between Peshawar, Karachi and Quetta. The Britishers had left us in a good shape a railway track between Rawalpindi and Tank connecting Kohat, Bannu and Lakki in the way. That track is in a shambles now. If it is renovated and branched off from Pezu to DIK also all the southern districts of KPK will have direct link with the rest of the country providing a safe alternative route to travellers living in many districts. If the existing railway track is extended from Tank to Quetta through Manzai and Tanai to Quetta via Zhob a new communication link can be had to Balochistan from Rawalpindi.
There is a need to invest in improving the goods train system also as it would promote transportation of merchandise in all the provinces of the country at a much less expenditure. And last but not the least all the government functionaries and those who move in the corridors of power should be made to start travelling in rail services instead of travelling in cars or aero planes for carrying out their official engagements in various cities of the country. That would keep the railway functionaries on their toes and they may remain vigilant due to the fear that they may not be caught napping by the higher ups. If the members of British Royal family can commute in train from London to Scotland why can’t our rulers.
