ISLAMABAD: The National Logistics Corporation (NLC) and Pakistan Railways have signed a strategic cooperation framework aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s freight connectivity and developing a more integrated road-rail logistics network.
The Strategic Framework of Cooperation (SFC) will provide a platform for the two organisations to explore new business opportunities, improve freight transportation and develop integrated logistics and supply-chain solutions.
Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi witnessed the signing ceremony, which was attended by senior officials from NLC and Pakistan Railways.
Under the framework, the two organisations will seek to combine their respective transport and logistics capabilities to develop more efficient and commercially viable freight services.
The cooperation will focus on logistics infrastructure, freight transportation and integrated supply-chain solutions, with the broader objective of improving the movement of goods across the country.
The agreement could also strengthen multimodal transportation by improving coordination between road-based logistics operations and Pakistan’s railway freight network.
Speaking at the ceremony, Hanif Abbasi highlighted the longstanding cooperation between NLC and Pakistan Railways and said the new framework would help further facilitate freight transportation across Pakistan.
He also acknowledged NLC’s role in logistics and national infrastructure development.
NLC, Railways Already Working on Karachi Freight Projects
The latest agreement builds on existing cooperation between NLC and Pakistan Railways in Karachi, where the two organisations are working on the development of a Multimodal Logistics Park and Dedicated Freight Corridor.
The projects are intended to strengthen freight movement and improve connections between different modes of transportation in the country’s largest commercial and port city.
NLC is also one of the largest customers of Pakistan Railways’ freight train services, providing an existing commercial base for deeper cooperation between the two organisations.
The new framework is expected to allow both sides to explore additional opportunities in freight operations, logistics infrastructure and supply-chain connectivity.
Improved rail freight connectivity can play an important role in moving large volumes of goods over longer distances while integrated logistics systems can provide businesses with stronger links between ports, railways, road networks and distribution centres.
The cooperation between NLC and Pakistan Railways is aimed at developing that integration while expanding commercially viable freight and logistics services across Pakistan.