RAWALPINDI:  Federal Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati while addressing a conference on investment in  Railways Land organized by Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) through video link said that unfortunately Railways has been in disrepute for the last 70 years.

I want to send a message to all developers and investors to invest with security in railways land. The investment will be under a public-private partnership. You will have the full support of my team, he added.

The legal process in this regard will be completed by April 30. He lauded RCCI for making this conference possible. The Railway Minister further said that we all have to lift the railways together. There is no place for a corrupt officer in the railways. Professional officers are a source of pride for me.

This is an important opportunity for the business community to take advantage of this opportunity and start thinking for joint ventures on railway land.

DG Land & Property, gave a detailed presentation on the traditional method of leasing railway land and the initiatives taken under the new program, Public Private Partnership.

Earlier in his address, RCCI President Nasir Mirza said that the aim of the conference was to provide a platform for investors to get maximum information on investing opportunities in railway land. He said that Railways is an important sector in Pakistan’s economy.

Group leader Sohail Altaf said the railways would have to work to boost investor confidence. Steps will have to be taken to attract local and foreign investors.

Senior Vice President Osman Ashraf, former presidents, members of the executive committee, chairman regional trade Khurshid Berlas, officials from Pakistan Railways and investors attended the conference.