ISLAMABAD -  The National Transport Policy 2018 approved by the PML-N's last federal cabinet meeting seeks overhauling rail, air, trucking, mass transit, pipeline network, urban transport, maritime business in an integrated mode to meet challenges of the growing population and developing national economy.

The National Transport Policy available with The Nation has recommended that Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority will be restructured, separating its regulatory and service provision responsibilities.

Work on the National Transport Policy was initiated by the Ministry of Planning, Development & Reform in collaboration with Department for International Development (DFID) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) in February, 2017.

In road transport the NTP said that the priority for passenger transport by road will be to enhance the usage of non-motorized transport and public transport. An increased focus will be made to the provision of public transport services and integration to other modes. Private transport will be considered complimentary to non-motorized transport and public transport, and will provide reliable access to low density and remote areas.

For freight, the predominant movement by road transport will increasingly be shifted to rail and pipeline, by better integration of agriculture and industry to rail stations, dry ports, and pipelines.

Rural roads will remain vital for providing accessibility to local communities and public services, Urban roads will be designed to support efficient and effective urban transport and International road transport will be supported by accession to and implementation of relevant international road transport agreements and conventions. Leasing within the Right of Way shall not be pursued.

Road safety will be actively promoted through the adoption of the UN endorsed Safe System Approach, including improvements to road safety leadership and management, safety infrastructure with a key focus on speed management and safety of vulnerable road users, vehicle standards regulation including access to and movement on the road network, road user behaviour, and post-crash response.

Root-causes of vehicle overloading will be addressed and eliminated. Enhancement of road related statistics will be pursued to support evidence-based decision making.

Regarding Rail transport the NPT said that railway operation in Pakistan will be organized to become more commercially viable and will remain in the public sector.

Private sector participation in railway operations and maintenance will be encouraged and promoted, in ways that serve the public interest.

For passengers, rail transport will prioritize the provision of fast and reliable inter-urban services between all major urban centres.

For freight, rail transport will focus on the provision of long-haul transport, particularly of container, trailer and bulk commodities, to reduce the share of freight moving on the road network. Direct connectivity to, and intermodal connections between the ports, dry ports and industrial areas will be enhanced. Dedicated intermodal terminals for passengers will be provided within and near urban areas to connecting public transport. Rail safety will actively be promoted and new technology will be adopted to enhance ease of passenger travel and freight connectivity.

Regarding the air transport strategy the policy highlighted that air transport will be liberalized in accordance with open skies policy on a reciprocal basis to stimulate new entrants establishing new routes and increasing the number of flights to and from Pakistan, without compromising national interests.

International long-distance connectivity will be promoted from selected airports, whilst direct connections are promoted for regional and domestic travel. Specific domestic routes for socio-economic purposes will be targeted via public service obligations.

A level playing field for both domestic and international airline operators will be established for passenger and freight transport.

Commercial, market based pricing together with rationalisation of the tax structure in the aviation sector will be established.

Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority will be restructured, separating its regulatory and service provision responsibilities.

Civil Aviation Authority may enter into suitable public-private partnerships for operation, management and development of airports. Pakistan International Airlines will be restructured and rescaled to become financially viable.

The infrastructure capacity and level of service of international and domestic airports will be developed in line with the functional purpose of the airports.

All airports will be connected to public transport of suitable standards, to commensurate with the status of the airport.

Regarding the maritime transport the NTP said that maritime sector shall be geared to become a major engine of growth through its support and facilitation of international trade. Karachi and Port Qasim ports will serve as the primary international gateway ports for all types of commodity shipments, with Gwadar Port balancing national trade opportunities, transshipment and regional transit.

A port-city council planning forum will be established to support port developments. Ports will be operated under a landlord port model.

Private sector terminal operators will lead in providing specialist terminal facilities and service delivery. Public sector will provide supportive port and navigation infrastructure and regulatory oversight.

Coastal port harbour facilities will be promoted, including freight and passenger shipping service concessions.

Maritime security will be enhanced for all maritime zones and implementation through maritime security agency. (xvii) An independent regulator will be established as national maritime authority.

Regarding the pipelines NTP said that oil, gas and bulk liquid will principally be transported via pipelines. Bulk dry commodities will be considered via slurry pipelines or conveyors upon establishment of a supporting business case. Pipeline connections will be established to ports, terminals, refineries, storage depots, dry ports, airports, industrial zones and to periphery of urban areas.

Regarding inland waterway transport the policy said that inland waterway transport will be promoted as a cheaper alternate, and environmentally friendly mode, and will become an element of intermodal transport services in conjunction and support of rail and road freight and passenger connections.

Passenger ferry services will target cross-river linkages, urban transit corridors, and coastal estuaries/ zones, as alternatives to rail and road access.

An inland waterway transport master plan will be developed, actively exploring other navigable rivers and canals, considering effective riverine water management planning.

The NTP further said that urban transport will be considered as a single integrated transport system and planned in accordance to the hierarchy of modes, including public transport, private transport, non-motorized transport, and freight transport.

Parking policy will be established, limiting the parking of private cars.

Electric and other low-carbon transport will actively be pursued to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, phasing out of the internal combustion engine.

For implementation of the policy, it has been proposed that a Cabinet Committee on Transport may be constituted to be chaired by the Prime Minister including Ministers for Communications, Maritime Affairs, Railways, Aviation, Petroleum, Inter-Provincial Coordination, Planning, Finance, representatives of all the provinces and territories as members.