09 October 2004	Saturday	23 Shaban 1425

ISLAMABAD, Oct 8: Speakers at a two-day conference stressed the need for improvement in communications infrastructure, and safer, cleaner, efficient and environment-friendly transport system.

National Library was the venue of the national conference on 'Sustainable Transport - The Way Forward', organized by Foundation For Progress in collaboration with the Ministry of Industries & Production, and the Department of Industries and Transport, Sindh Government.

Communications Minister Mohammad Shamim Siddiqui, speaking on the occasion, stressed the need to ensure that "we have the right mode of transport for the right job, and that everything we do is safer, cleaner, efficient and equitable". He said the government's policies were aimed at creating competitive environment for the auto-manufacturing industry.

The investors' confidence in the government's policy is reflected by the presence of more than a dozen manufacturers of cars, buses, trucks and tractors, he said. Speaking to the delegates, Minister of State for Environment Malik Amin Aslam said there was no real increase in the number of public transport vehicles, like buses and goods vehicles.

He emphasized the need for improving the infrastructure required for sustainable transport. He said the government had initiated a plan for promoting environment-friendly transport, and would also improve and implement the National Environment Quality Standards.

The minister called upon the auto makers, and national and multinational oil companies to come forward with innovative solutions and provide lead-free and other alternative fuels, keeping in view the nation's requirements.

Speaking on the occasion, Idrees Siddiqui, MPA Sindh Assembly, said provision of safe, affordable, equitable, accessible transport services to the urban and the rural areas was the need of the hour.