Pakistan railways: Contrasting views of Indian engines
Kasuri said India had made the offer as a goodwill gesture and it should be taken in the same spirit.
LAHORE:
Pakistan Railways is in crisis and the Indian government’s offer to supply 100 engines must be given serious thought, said Pakistan-India Business Council Chairman Noor Muhammad Kasuri on Sunday.
Talking to APP, he said the addition of 100 engines to Pakistan Railways could help revive the department, which was an important source of livelihood for a lot of people. “The railways crisis has created a lot of problems, especially for those living in far-flung parts of the country,” he said.
Kasuri said India had made the offer as a goodwill gesture and it should be taken in the same spirit.
However, Daily Passengers Association President Hafiz Abdul Qayyum said the engines India was offering were too old. He said that India had bought the engines from an American company several decades ago. That company closed 26 years ago over quality concerns, he said. He said Pakistan should buy engines from a company of good repute and should not repeat the mistake of 2005. “Pakistan Railways spent a huge amount on the purchase of 69 engines from a Chinese company then, but 50 of them are not working now,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2012.
Pakistan Railways is in crisis and the Indian government’s offer to supply 100 engines must be given serious thought, said Pakistan-India Business Council Chairman Noor Muhammad Kasuri on Sunday.
Talking to APP, he said the addition of 100 engines to Pakistan Railways could help revive the department, which was an important source of livelihood for a lot of people. “The railways crisis has created a lot of problems, especially for those living in far-flung parts of the country,” he said.
Kasuri said India had made the offer as a goodwill gesture and it should be taken in the same spirit.
However, Daily Passengers Association President Hafiz Abdul Qayyum said the engines India was offering were too old. He said that India had bought the engines from an American company several decades ago. That company closed 26 years ago over quality concerns, he said. He said Pakistan should buy engines from a company of good repute and should not repeat the mistake of 2005. “Pakistan Railways spent a huge amount on the purchase of 69 engines from a Chinese company then, but 50 of them are not working now,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2012.