KARACHI: A delegation of the Business Development Committee of PAAPAM, led by its convener, Mirza Sikander Ali Baig, met the CEO of the Pakistan Railway, Muhammad Farrukh Taimur Khan Ghilzai, who represented the Federal Minister of Railway.
Mr. Irfan Ahmed Qureshi, Member MC, Haji Muhammad Nazir of Meralastik Rubber and Engineering, Mr. Ghulam Murtaza, SG, and Mr. Anas Haroon, PM, were part of the delegation.
Aiming to bridge the gap between the PAAPAM members and the Pakistan Railways and promote localization to contain the dwindling foreign exchange, the delegation gave a comprehensive presentation to the CEO of PR, flanked by his technical experts what the PAAPAM members could do for the PR. “Mr. Baig stressed and explained the necessity of a Public Private Partnership under the Win-Win spirit for any long-term relationship between the stakeholders. It was also suggested that instead of a” no cost, no obligation development program, a trial order doctrine must be introduced at the execution level in PR, empowering the relevant CME office. This will create a congenial and conducive environment for import deletion. Mr. Irfan Ahmed Qureshi detailed the ways and mechanisms that could be adopted to develop a synergistic, win-win situation.
Display of some parts produced or can be produced for Pakistan PR was also put on display for inspection. The railways’ officials bit amazed that many requirements could be met locally, and they were not below any standard. The CEO, Mr. Ghilzai, emphasized that both must develop close interaction to understand each other’s needs. The visiting delegation said that there must be a vendor prequalification mechanism to pannel the vendors of repute. Mr. Ghilazi invited the delegation to visit the railway workshops to be more synchronized with the needs of PR. CEO, PR, Mr. Ghilzai, also instructed his staff to share all the thousands of items the Pakistan Railway was using and importing.
The PAAPAM team is bound to visit the railway workshops to collect the fruits of this important meeting. The members will be apprised of the outcome accordingly.
