Efforts on to further bring down Pakistan Railways’ deficit: Saad

Federal Minister for Pakistan Railways (PR) Khawaja Saad Rafique said on Sunday that efforts were on to further bring down deficit of railways. Addressing the Labour Union convention of PR here at Aiwan-e-Iqbal, he said that due to reforms, the deficit of Pakistan Railways had reduced to Rs 27 billion and efforts were being made to further reduce it upto Rs 3 to 4 billion during current year.

Problems which the department was facing would resolve with the passage of time, he said and added that it was not possible to overcome all problems in just two and a half years. The minister said that martial laws had badly harmed the democracy and unfortunately nobody in the past seriousl concentrated on the improvement of the department.

Saad Rafique said that raising demands was not wrong but there would be a proper way for it, adding that attitude of stopping trains and causing loss to the railways would not be tolerated in future.

He said that wheel of PR had started moving but collective efforts were required to make it work in fast mode. The railways would utilize the biggest portion of its earning on reducing its deficit and one of its portion for the betterment of PR workers, he added. The government has given Rs 41 billion in PSDP to PR besides extending other support, and the PR itself have to make efforts for its improvement, he said. Saad Rafique said that the branding of 14 railway stations and 5 trains would help in generating income of about Rs 140 million annually.

He said that steps had been taken for bringing improvement in the department like separate GP account had been made, train staff life insurance had been started and many others. Quoting the example of India, the minister said that they were working for the last 30 years to improve their railways, similarly time was required to strengthen Pakistan railways.

He said that efforts were on to make Locomotive and Carriage factories as state of the art factories. He said that PR locomotive factory needs a joint venture with a big locomotive manufacturing company so that our locomotive factory could produce locomotives according to Pakistan's requirements and conditions.

He said that sleeper factory was making 200,000 sleepers whereas 400,000 were needed, adding that production of sleepers would be increased. Pakistan Railways Minister said that work was being carried out regarding feasibility of the ML2, adding that practical work on ML1 would start soon. He said that work was also being carried out to link Quetta with Peshawar. Audit of rolling stock was also being conducted, he said and added that a lot of steps were being taken for the progress and prosperity of the PR. He asked the workers to keep working with commitment and dedication and they would get benefits, if department would keep increasing its income. Hafiz Salman Butt said that those who would come as hurdle in the way of railways development would not be allowed to succeed in their motives.