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Efforts to streamline transport sector under way

ISLAMABAD: A new transportation initiative that will, for the first time, incorporate input from all levels of society is being developed in Pakistan.

This initiative is designed to produce an effective and efficient transportation system that meets and responds to the needs of the people, World Bank press release said.

The government is leading this initiative and working to build consensus. The World Bank, having learned through experience the high value of participatory development, is doing all it can to support and facilitate the government's initiative.

The bank is playing the role of a facilitator in bringing together people from all such groups who are involved with the transport sector. The enthusiasm which the workshops in this regard have received is indicative of the shape of development for the new millennium Ñ decentralised, transparent and drawing upon the knowledge and needs of the people who use and are most greatly affected by Pakistan's transport system.

The spirit of partnership and consultation was highly evident in the workshop held in Karachi on January 24-25, 2000 to assess the perspective of civil society in the development of the Transport Sector in Pakistan.

A large number of participants from the different transportation sub-sectors; and, railways, ports and shipping participated in the meeting.

The bank endorses the government's endeavour to encourage public debate and consensus building. It is clear that Pakistan will be unable to fully address the challenges before it without the active participation and cooperation of its civil society and private sector.

The World Bank hopes that a dynamic and comprehensive Transport Sector Development Initiative for Pakistan will emerge through this consultative and participatory process. This initiative will strengthen the public sector's partnership with civil society to usher in a new era of development and poverty alleviation in Pakistan. APP