Pakistan – Step forward, reform and compete with the rest of the world – Part 8.

Pakistan – Step forward, reform and compete

with the rest of the world – Part 8.

Afrosiyab 778 departs from Tashkent railway station at 06:03 and reaches Samarkand at 08:21. Subsequent trains for the same destination leave at 07:21, 08:29 and 19:41. The stringently precise timings are just the first reflection of an immensely meticulous, efficient and progressive train system, that we may have much to learn from.

Uzbek railway stations are conspicuous by the absence of coolies in red tunics, carrying loads that destroy their vertebrae as well as their dignity. Also missing are the unscrupulous railway contractors who extract 30% of the coolies’ daily earnings.  Everyone carries his or her own baggage and there are trollies (not coolies) to help those who cannot.

The perfection and cleanliness inside trains, at railway platforms and on railway tracks is mind-boggling. No wonder, the O’zbekiston Temir Yo’llari, the government operated railway of Uzbekistan posted a profit of 230 billion Su’m in 2023.   For the same period, Pakistan Railway, also a government organisation, ran into losses of Rs55 billion.  Perhaps the long journey of 4000 miles could begin with the first step of cleaning the abominable garbage dumps located on the tracks that run through the hearts of our railway stations.  The next could be to get rid of coolie contractors and provide decent trollies and ramps at the railway stations.

Come on, Pakistan Railway, change your decaying tracks and the progress can be closer than you think.

Naeem Sadiq

April 8, 2025