TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION:
The main physical infrastructure in a country is transport and communication. The transport in Pakistan included road, railways, ports and communication net work consists of postal services, Telecommunications, etc. The development of a country’s transport system is a pre-requisite to its economic growth. There is a close relationship b/w transport communication and the level of economic activity. Economic development requires a highly organized system of transport and communications. A planned and organized system of transport and communication is one of the indications of country’s development. If we economically compare advanced countries with backward countries, we would find a better system of transport and communication in advanced countries. While traffic jams and other irregularities are in the system of transport and communication in a backward country. Our economic development is conditional to a strong network of transport and communication.
SITUATION IN PAKISTAN:

Road transport in industrialized, developing and transition economics continues to grow at 1.5 to 2.0 times growth of GDP. This is significantly higher than the rate of growth of the government’s tax revenue making it increasingly difficult for governments to full-finance the needs of the road sector maintenance, upgrading, modernization of outdated networks and expansion through the consolidate fund. At the same times, countries all over the world are realizing that roads are big business. Governments are responding to this state of affairs in three main ways:

1. By tolling their express way network

2. By restructuring their road agencies to put them on a more commercial basis

3. By financing the balance of the untold network

Countries are increasingly road into the market place and putting them on a fee for service basis. In other words, they are commercializing the provision of road services.

Pakistan’s achievement in building high and low types of roads has been quite credible. The total roads which were 170.80 km in 1990-91 increased to 249-959 in 2002-03 and further to 251,845 km in 2002-03 or 475 % higher than 1990-91. During the out going fiscal year the length of high typed roads have increased by 7.3% over the last year but the length of low type roads were converted in to high type roads. This has been made possible through Khush-hal Pakistan Program. Which has undertaken many projects for improving rural infrastructure.

ROLE OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION:

Transport and communications are the determinants of economic development. They have great importance in the economic progress and stability of the country. They co-ordinate different economic fields. A well-disciplined system of transport and communication is necessary for the rapid economic growth.

Easy means of transport and communication are of utmost importance for the economic development. From economic point of view, transport expands the area of division of labour, facilitates the movement of raw materials from their places of production to the place of utilization in return, it helps the movement of goods from production centers to consuming centers at home and abroad .All this results in more and better production, in leveling up the deficit areas and in the economic absorption of surpluses of the surplus areas, Economic histories of advanced countries show that their economic development was dependent and accelerated, if not actually initiated, by increased facilities of transport.

Means of transport include railways, roads, airways and sea routs while means of communication include postage, telephone, telegraph, radio, wireless, fax, internet etc in view of the economists these means of transport and communication are basic infrastructure of a countries.

ROADS:

After railway, roads are the main source of transportation because all those areas where railway line cannot be laid down, roads are built. Similarly in far-off places and hilly areas where laying down of railway line is difficult, road became the important means for transportation and a source of contact.

THE UTILITY AND IMPORTANCE OF ROADS IN PAKISTAN:

1. Source of Transportation:

About 67.5% of the total population lives rural

sector and villages are connected with roads. Roads are the only source of transportation from villages to cities and urban areas.

2. Transportation of Agriculture Raw Material: Transportation of agriculture raw material, seeds, fertilities and pesticides is made through roads from factories and wholesale markets to rural areas.

3. To Remove Unemployment:

In our rural sector there is not only unemployment but also disguised unemployment. This unemployment and disguised unemployment can be removed through the development of small scale and cottage industry but industrial units can only be established when roads are there.

4. To Improve Literacy Rate:

The literacy rate in Pakistan is approximately 49% which shows lack of education. To spread education roads are necessary because higher education centers are situated in urban sector.

5. Important Means of Linkage:

The provision of necessities of life and other comforts to rural sector, is possible through means of transport i.e., roads because it is the only important mean of linkage.

6. For Resources Mobilization:

Productive resources are scattered all over the country. For rapid economic development the resources must be mobilized and utilized. But maximum benefits can be reaped only through means of transport and important one is roads.

7. Industrial development:

Construction of roads not only develops the agriculture sector but also develops the industrial sector. Industrial development is based on the supply of raw material and trained labour. The industrial sector in Pakistan mainly consists of agro based industry or agriculture raw material consuming. Developed and swift roads can ensure the supply of raw material to production units and manufactured goods to market.

8. In Northern Areas:

In northern areas of Pakistan where railway line can not laid down, roads, are used as a means of transportation.

9. Cheaper Means of Transportation:

Means of transport become cheaper with the construction of roads. Transportation through buses for smaller distances is cheaper than railway.

10. Supply of Food:

In the time of food shortage and famine, roads play important role to supply food to far-off places and hilly areas.

11. Integrate Economic Development:

Roads integrate development. With the countries-wide to spread of roads industries would be opened in different areas which would promote economic development in all the areas of the country.

THE UTILITY AND IMPORTANCE OF RAILWAYS:

1. It is the important source of passengers as well as good transportation from the different areas of the country. It is also the cheapest means of transportation in Pakistan.

2. Millions of tons of goods are supplied from Karachi to far off places of country through railways.

3. Almost all the necessities of life e.g. petrol, wheat rice pulses are transported through railway to avoid shortage problem.

4. It is an important source of transportation for army movements for exercises and plays pivotal role during emergencies like war.

5. Material, machinery, iron, cement for development projects are supplied through railways.

6. It is an important source of employment.

7. It is playing an important role for the production of national income ambits disbursement.

PERFORMANCE OF RAILWAYS:

The over all performance of the railways is very low due to the following reasons:

1. Low working efficiency of the employees

2. Pakistan railway has not been able to clear the huge backlog of replacement and outdated machinery.

3. The volume of passenger’s traffic for short distances has considerable declined.

4. Railway has to operate certain branch rotes, which are uneconomical.

5. Powerful engines are being used for handling light passenger trains even on main lines that are not economical.

PROBLEMS OF RAILWAYS:

1. The trains are generally late and passengers are finding inconvience. Pakistan’s Railway is operating on single track system while double track system is limited.

2. There is an act shortage of locomotives and the rolling stock in possession of railways is odd and outdated.

3. Railway organization is over staffed, which is a financial burden and effects position of railways.

4. Pilfrage of goods in transit has become a common feature. Due to dishonesty railways has to pay compensation in thousands.

5. Corruption and misutilisation of funds have also affected the development projects.

6. The wages paid to workers are low. Majority of workers form hand to mouth.

7. Inadequate facilities have been provided to passengers.

8. There is a shortage of funds to increase the number of locomotives, to start development projects and to provide facilities to passengers.

SUGGESTION/REMEDIES:

1. There should be reorganization or privatization of railways

to avoid heavy losses.

2. For easy and quick transportation there should be double track system.

3. Efficient and hardworking employees should be selected because our present employees are generally inefficient as the selection is made on kinship basis.

4. To attract technical persons and qualified people high wages should be offered.

5. There should be control on corruption misutilisation of funds and leakage of revenue.

THE NETWORK OF PAKISTAN RAILWAYS:

The network of Pakistan railways comprises 7,791 route kilometers, 577 locomotives, 1901 passenger coaches and 23939 freight wagons up to end of March 2003. The Pakistan railways have introduced non-stop express trains in different routes including comfortable passenger coaches. An investment of Rs. 44 billion for five years was approved for railways sector. However this was included in an over-all plan for 10 years for which Rs. 109.00 billion was visualized. The perspective plan includes rehabilitation of rolling stock, communication system as well as modernization of three main constituents of railways operation viz infrastructure rolling stock and communication & freight trains, once infrastructure over the system improved.

The Pakistan railways have improved its services both for passengers and luggage handling. A sign of improvement is visible from the continuous increase in the earnings which have increased by 43.3 % during 1998-99 and 2001-02. During July –March 2002-03, the gross earnings increased by 12.7 % over the same period last year.

A positive trend has also been recorded during Jul-March 2002-03 in both the passenger traffic freight traffic by registering respectively an increase of 1.4% and 1.7%, respectively over the same period of the last year. Maintaining a positive growth for three successive years can be attributed to the wide range of improvement made by the Pakistan railways in the quality o services, timeliness, and cleanliness.

CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY (CAA):

In spite of the adders effects of September 11, 2001 events on the global and national air traffic and the attendant decline in revenues, the CAA has continued to undertake developmental work and also completed a number of projects. The construction of a new terminal, Lahore has been completed at the cost of 103 billion.

Air Transport (PIA):

Efficient, swift and developed transportation system accelerated the rate of economic development. Like other means of transport Air transport has got importance and development of air transport has become the need of the hour. Air transport has played a role of reducing distances Modern Air transport system has brought radical changer in economic political, social and cultural relations between the various countries of the world.

It is also providing facility to thousands of pilgrimage to perform Umrah and Hajj. Incase of natural calamities it is facilitating the supply of food and medicines. It has become popular and need of the hour for businessmen, trades executives and tourists.

In 1955 PIA was established with the merger of orient airways, PIA’s fleet consisted of 47 aircraft of different types.

ROLE OF PIA:

1. Major Employer:

It is providing employment opportunities to thousands employees It is also providing training facilities to technicians, engineers and other qualified and skilled employees.

2. Tourism Development:

Tourism is included in the services provide by Andy economy. The PIA is providing services to the tourist not only by providing transportation but also actually involved in organizing tours with collaboration of other governments and private tourism companies.

3. Economic and Political Relation:

The introduction of modern air transport system has helped in reducing distance, increasing economic relations and developing political and cultural relation.

4. Mobility of Labour Force:

The process of economic development is linked with the mobility of labour force and necessary material that has been provided by the PIA.

5. During Emergency:

In the times of natural calamities and distress PIA helps in providing the supply of essential goods and medicines to the affected people.

6. Time Save:

Majority of the traders, businessmen and travelers prefer to travel by Air transport because modern life has become busy.

PORTS & SHIPPING:

1. Karachi port Trust:

Karachi port has made a steady and continuous process in its various sectors to boost the national economy. It has established an annual cargo handling record of over 26.0692 million with zero waiting time of vessels in 2001-02.
The KPT is committed to provide facilities at par with the modern age requirement.

2. Port Qasim:

The performance of port Qasim Authority has been impressive during July-March 2002-03. A cargo volume of 12032 million tons was handled during the period under review, as against 9.44 million tons during the corresponding period of last year, showing an increase of 30.5 %.

PAKISTAN NATIONAL SHIPPING CORPORATION (PNSC):

The Government of Pakistan nationalized shipping in January, 1947, with the take over of 0 % private shipping companies and one subsidiary of a private limited company. Two boards of management were appointed, one for the management of taken over companies, Pakistan Shipping Corporation and the other for the National Shipping Corporation, which was already in the public sector.

Pakistan National Shipping Corporation owned 22 vessels, with a net weight of 352,716 tons. The Corporations operated its linear services from Pakistan to USA. Canada/East Coast, U.K South Asia and Bangladesh.

The Corporation operated its liner services with owned vessels, bulk shipment of wheat, fertilizer, rock phosphates and iron ore/coal were handled largely through foreign shipping companies.

The PNSC is the National Flag Carrier of Pakistan. Its main objective is to maintain a commercially viable sea link between Pakistan and its major trading partners. It also helps in maintaining and stabilizing freight rates charged by the other carriers and provides a strategic link in the case of emergencies.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT):

Information technology (IT) has assumed unprecedented importance in the global economic arena. In Pakistan, Government is according a high priority to this sector. One of the prerequisites for ensuring sustained growth of the industry and operational guidelines, which can provide a stable umbrella for growth. Thus, the government is the main facilitator, enabler, and promoter of the IT sector. Core IT policy strategies have been proposed under several focused areas:

1. E-Government

2. IT Industry Development

3. IT Education at school

4. Targeted T RD Development as per Market Request.

E-GOVERNANCE:

The first ever Citizens Portal of the Government of Pakistan has been launched on test/trail basis. Web sites of 34 Ministries/Divisions & 3 special purpose web sites have been developed and connected with the portal.

ATM network has been provided to facilitate low income federal government employees.

Seven Ministries are to be connected on Local Area Network (LAN).
A project has been initiated by E-Government Directorate to train probationary officers in the field of IT. This would enable officers to make use of the tools of IT to increase efficiency. Pakistan Computer Bureau is being strengthened to provide technical assistance and bring uniformity in the architecture of nation wide applications.

HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT:

· Educational Internet. Developed to provide high speed connectivity to 56.UGC recognized universities.

· Multimedia Platform: The project will set up a Multimedia Asset Management system capable of storing, compiling and content over digital satellite broadcast television, internet and cable television channels.

TARGETED IT HARD TRAINING:

· Computer laboratories have been set up in 25 Federal Government School and Collages, 25 PAF schools and Colleges, 23 F.G Colleges and 20 Cantt Garrison Schools through a project.

· Computer labs and other resources have been provided to Government College Lahore and Lahore College for Women.

· Computer labs have also been established in two colleges for men and two colleges for women in Northern Areas.

· Cadet College Hassan Abdal and Military College Jehlum have been facilitated with the computer labs and other resources.

· Professional training will be provided to 1400 Inter-Networking engineers.

· PGD program will be arranged for students from Balochistan

· 760 students trained in Legal Transcription

· 1104 students trained in Medical Transcription.

· 536 students trained in Quality Control.

ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT DIRECTORATE:

The IT action plan is an integral part of the IT policy. It aims at promotion of information and communication technologies (ICT) through development in the following areas:

· Provision of sound physical infrastructure like telephone and interne5t system.

· Provision of legal infrastructure viz. necessary to encourage and protect electronic transaction.

· Improve quality and quantity of IT students at university level.

· Encouraging local IT Industry by providing incentives and job opportunities.

PAKISTAN COMPUTER BUREAU:

Pakistan Computer Bureau completed the raining of 6000 Federal Govt. Employees at Islamabad/Rawalpindi and 6800 provincial Govt. employees at their provincial headquarters.

· Provision of 2000 I.T teachers in computer science and establishment of 1500 computer Laboratories in High Schools, Higher Secondary Schools and Intermediate colleges in all provinces including AJ & K

· A few selected Districts will be taken up as pilot project.

PAKISTAN SOFTWARE EXPORT BOARD (PSEB):

Pakistan Software Export Board is undertaking various initiatives for the development of IT industry capability in Pakistan. In the domestic market, the PSEB has launched a program namely “Automation of Domestic Manufacturing Industry to automate 100 manufacturing units from various industries sectors According to IT Division the export of software stood at $ 18.2 million in fiscal year 1999-2000 has reached $ 20.1 million in 2001-02 showing an increase of 10 %. During July-February of the current financial year 2002-02, the export of software has reached $ 14.6 million.

PAKISTAN TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANY LIMITED (PTCL):

The PTCL network consists of 99 % switching system exchanges. Optical Fiber Cable Backbone, subsidiaries routes, long distance media, digital radio system, at Karachi and Islamabad. International communication revenue is connectivity for internet system providers data network operators, software exporters, educational institution data network operators, software tariffs have been reduced by 25 % on international calls during 2000-02 and are international IP bandwidth 10 to 68 % on lower than one MB and &0% on domestic lease circuits. The role played by the telecom sector in recent years is described in brief:

1. CONTRBUTION TO GDP:

The share of telecom sector alone in GDP has increased from 1.5% to 1.8% in the year 2004-05.

2. INVESTMENT FLOWS:

The telecom sector is attracting huge foreign investment in the country for the last two years. This sector has attracted over $ 2 billion as foreign direct investment in Pakistan 2005. The privatization proceeds of $ 2.6 billion of PTCL would help in reducing the debt burden of the country.

3. REVENUE TO GOVERNMENT:

Telecom sector has also emerged as a major contributor to government revenues. The total collection from the telecom sector in term of GST has arisen from Rs.10.76 billion in 2001-02 to Rs.25 billion in 2004-05.

4. EMPLOYMENT GENERATION:

Telecom sector has also emerged as a major employment generation sector. During the year 2004, after the deregulation of the sector, the telecom sector has generated 341622 direct and indirect employment opportunities.

GROWTH OF CELLULAR MOBILE IN PAKISTAN:

At present there are eight mobile operators in the country. With healthy competition among them, there is a decline of mobile service prices, increased coverage and better quality of services.

PTCL has a revenue base of Rs.74.124 billion. Its revenues from domestic segment account for 61%, from international outgoing calls 12% and from international incoming calls 27% as of June 2004.

ELECTRONIC MEDIA:

1. Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority:

The Government of Pakistan has established PEMRA in 2002. Its aim is to improve the choice available to the people of Pakistan in different modes of electronic media, promotion of healthy competition among them and discovering under monopolies.

2. Pakistan Television Corporation Ltd (PTV):

The PTV was converted into public limited company in 1967. PTV is operating with four channels in the country PTV is extending the TV signals to remote areas of the country.

3. Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC):

The government gave priority to this important mean of communication and has established 25 broadcasting houses, 30 medium wave and 10 short wave transmitters, which broadcast programs for listeners at home and abroad.

POSTAL SERVICES:

The post offices spread throughout the country manage the postal service. At the time of independence, there were 3036 post offices in the country. The number by March 2005 has increased to 12250 out of which 2335 are in urban areas and 9915 in rural areas. The salient features of the postal services in Pakistan are as under:

1. In the cities, which are connected with air network, the letters are now lifted by air.

2. Mechanical sorting of letters has been introduced at Lahore and Karachi.

3. Three postal training centers have been established for imparting training to the postal staff.

4. The number of post offices is gradually being increased for mobilizing savings particularly of the low-income farmers in the villages.

5. Pakistan’s Post office saving scheme is quite successful. It has operated and introduced remittance services, International Expedited Mail Services, Postal Life Insurance.

SUMMERY

Transportation and communication holds the importance of backbone for a country. It is directly proportional to the economic growth. If the transportation and communication in a country is well developed then there is no barrier to its economic development. All over the world countries are realizing that roads are big business. In other words they are commercializing the provision of road services. Pakistan’s achievement in building high and low roads has been quite appreciable. The means of transportation and communication are the basic infrastructure of a country. Natural resources i.e. minerals, forests, rivers, mountains and oil etc, are the basis of economic development. Simply their existence is not the guarantee of economic development but their efficient utilization is the base of development. The efficient supply of raw material depends upon transportation. Development of transportation means that goods and services are supplied easily to the far away areas of country. Due to developed roads the milk, food, and wheat etc, can be supplied efficiently to the urban areas and improved seeds, fertilizers and urea etc, can de provided to rural areas in short time. Besides that the country can earn foreign exchange and domestic income from the tourists but it is only possible if the roads to the hill points, natural areas, and tourism points are well developed. In Pakistan the roads are an important factor for development. On the other hand Railways are also very important part of transportation. Export and import of a country totally depends upon the shipping and airways. So the development of these factors is also necessary for the economic development. Communication system plays an important role in the development of a country. If the means of communication are economical, fast, improved and well developed, they disseminate knowledge, create a sense of national identity, help in the widening of market, and eliminate waste in the cross transportation of goods. The communication technology has evolved over the past decade. The Government of Pakistan has made considerable progress in developing modern telecommunication and postal services.

We can sum up the above mentioned in the following sentence:

“If we want to make progress economically, scientifically, and socially, we have to improve our transportation and telecommunication means up to the standard of developed countries of the world.”