Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Interim Prime Minister Justice (R) Nasir-ul-Mulk was briefed about the performance of Pakistan Railways at PM office on Tuesday.

The briefing was attended by Railways Minister Roshan Khursheed Bharucha, Secretary to the Prime Minister Suhail Aamir, Railways Secretary Muhammad Javed Anwar and senior officers of Railways Ministry .

The Prime Minister was briefed about organisational structure, rail network in the country, past performance and the future development strategy under National Vision 2025 in the Railways sector.

The Interim PM was also briefed, in detail, about the new business plan and various initiatives taken, both in freight as well as passenger transportation sector, for the revival of Railways and increasing its revenues.

He was informed that, as a result of right mix in service, the passenger share in Railways has increased from 13 percent in 2013 to 31 percent in 2017. Pakistan Railways recorded a revenue of Rs50 billion in 2017-18 as compared to revenue of Rs15.5 billion in 2011-12.

Nasir-ul-Mulk was also briefed about the progress made in various rail network extension projects under the CPEC. It was informed that Main Line-1 (ML-1) project from Karachi to Havelian was being upgraded as Early Harvest Project under the CPEC.

It was added that feasibility study for upgradation of ML-2 (Kotri-Attock) project has also been completed. Similarly, feasibility studies were in progress for extension of ML–2 (Gwadar – Basima – Jacobabad and Basima-Quetta) and extension of ML–3 (Quetta – Bostan – Zhob – DI Khan – Kotlajam) projects.

The Prime Minister was also apprised about the challenges faced by the organization including the issue of pension liabilities that contributed to 34% of the total expenditure of the organization.

The Prime Minister appreciated the performance of Pakistan Railways especially various initiatives taken under the strategic business plan. The Prime Minister observed that with coming of the CPEC project, there is a huge potential and scope for Pakistan Railways to further improve its performance and increase its share both in passenger as well as freight transportation sector by offer quality services to its customers.

Observing that the organisation was following right direction for its revival and sustainability, the Prime Minister directed that a comprehensive plan be worked out to overcome the existing challenges for the consideration of the incoming elected government.