Despite the injection of a bailout package, the future of Pakistan Railways (PR) seems bleak as the administration closed down 66 trains in the sevens divisions across the country while the Railways Ministry send a summary to the Ministry of Finance to give Rs 2.8 billion to dispense the salaries and pension on the Eid. Insiders say the operation of only the profitable trains will continue as the Railways in not in a position to bear the loss.
Director Public Relations Mohsin Yousuf told Pakistan Today that to keep the main trains moving, the Railways had to suspend the operation on branch lines. He said 150 locomotives would be available within six month after the repair work while the department was planning to invite tender for 27 new ones. An official on the condition of anonymity expressed the fear that the crisis would deepen further.
He cited political intervention in decision-making, poor maintenance and fragile ticketing system as reasons responsible for the prevailing situation.