LAHORE: Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmad Bilour said on Thursday that the railways service was badly under-resourced with the problems by this vital public service sector ever mounting.
He pledged, however, that the rejuvenation of the service took precedent in the eyes of the government. Talking to media, after receiving the 61st graduation parade of Railways Police at Walton Academy, he stated that entire rail network was restricted to only 220, often outdated, locomotives.
This crippling shortage remained the primary reason for the dearth of rail services for the public, but also the low revenue earned. “Railways have been traditionally neglected, with institutions like National Logistic Cell (NLC) and motorways projects given precedent, complained the minister. “Railway is the main source of freight transport in the world, not the other way round,” he added on a bitter note.
He expressed his belief that PR could become the backbone of the economy with sufficient resources. “Government is fully aware of its importance and taking active measures”, he claimed. He requested the media, administration and the government to cooperate with the ministry in the larger interests of the country.
