The
condition of roads and roads transport is a critical problem in Pakistan.
Inefficient planning, sub-standard construction, overloaded vehicles, and lack
of maintenance, among others, are a few major causes for the existing
unsatisfactory situation of roads in the country. The lack of road maintenance
is imposing substantial cost on Pakistan’s economy but the government’s
departments responsible for road maintenance have been facing severe shortage of
funds.
In
many other countries road users contribute as important partners with the
government and private sector. They are aware that the funds are generated
through public taxes and tariffs and therefore, not only act as watch-dogs on
any wastage and irregularities but also realize their responsibility in
maintenance, proper utilization and improvement of roads.
In
view of this recognition of need to involve public & road users in improving
the situation of roads and road transport, first, “Road User’s Workshop” was organized in Islamabad in April 1998.
National
Road Users Workshop: (Oct. 20, 1998, Islamabad)
This
workshop, compared to the previous similar efforts, was a much substantial and
ambitious step ahead with deeper focus on taking the dialogue initiated a year
ago.
The purpose of this workshop was to
establish whether there is a need for the enthusiasm and sufficient
well-motivated volunteer resources to establish a self-funding road users association in Pakistan.