Pakistan Railways
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Dawn, Pakistan
Wednesday, 10 Jun, 2009
PRIVATISATION works when it builds capacity and improves products or services. In the case of Pakistan Railways, any sale by the state will most likely fail to meet the first criterion. Services may — and that’s a big ‘may’ — improve under private ownership. Train travel could conceivably become safer and more comfortable and dependable. At the same time, however, it is inevitable that loss-making routes will be done away with, which means that fewer stations will be serviced. Capacity will thus be reduced, not enhanced. In many remote areas, the train service represents a lifeline to the rest of the country and this link that sustains both travel and trade ought not to be severed. Britain’s privatisation of the rail system saw several stops disappear from the map for reasons of profitability. The same is bound to happen in Pakistan, with far greater adverse effect, if Pakistan Railways is sold. Jobs too will be lost in the downsizing effort and fares are likely to increase, again to the detriment of the public. What’s more, firing poorly paid workers is unlikely to turn Pakistan Railways around. What is needed instead is a complete rethink of the organisation’s top-heavy administrative structure. This can be done without selling the railways.
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Wednesday, 10 Jun, 2009
PRIVATISATION works when it builds capacity and improves products or services. In the case of Pakistan Railways, any sale by the state will most likely fail to meet the first criterion. Services may — and that’s a big ‘may’ — improve under private ownership. Train travel could conceivably become safer and more comfortable and dependable. At the same time, however, it is inevitable that loss-making routes will be done away with, which means that fewer stations will be serviced. Capacity will thus be reduced, not enhanced. In many remote areas, the train service represents a lifeline to the rest of the country and this link that sustains both travel and trade ought not to be severed. Britain’s privatisation of the rail system saw several stops disappear from the map for reasons of profitability. The same is bound to happen in Pakistan, with far greater adverse effect, if Pakistan Railways is sold. Jobs too will be lost in the downsizing effort and fares are likely to increase, again to the detriment of the public. What’s more, firing poorly paid workers is unlikely to turn Pakistan Railways around. What is needed instead is a complete rethink of the organisation’s top-heavy administrative structure. This can be done without selling the railways.
Read More
Labels: Economy, Pakistan Railways, Privatization
posted @ 9:20 AM,
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