Minister for railways Ghulam Ahmad Bilour said railways’ network is being extended to China and Afghanistan. He was speaking during ‘Question Hour’ during National Assembly session in the Parliament House under chairmanship of Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday. The minister expounded the desire to construct railway tracks between China and Pakistan and that $6 billion would be needed for the project, while negotiations in this context were held with Chinese officials.
“They were ready to lend us the amount needed for construction of the track, however, we urged them to establish the track and Pakistan would provide them assistance and land,” Bilour added. In response to a question raised by Khalida Mansoor, the minister for railways said estimated cost of losses to Pakistan railways’ infrastructure and assets in 2010 was Rs6395.239 million and in 2011 PR suffered a loss of Rs247.237 million due to floods mainly in Sindh. Meanwhile, replying to a question raised by Dr Naheed Shahid Ali, Parliamentary Secretary Haider Ali Shah said all provinces were instructed to establish 20-bed special unit in district hospitals where drug addicts could be treated. This master plan was launched for next five years, he said. On this Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi said anti-narcotics forces should be enhanced so that youth could find jobs and play a constructive role in the society. To a question raised by Barjees Tahir, minister for privatisation Ghaus Bux Mehr said Rs800 million still has to be paid by PTCL in connection to privatisation. The ministry is already working on a plan to make the process transparent. He informed the house that three corporations including OGDCL are being privatised. To another question, he said the case of steel mills is in the court of law and presently the market is also not favourable for privatisation. In reply to comments by Tahir that asserted that concerned ministers remained absent, hence they did not answer the members’ questions, Federal Minister Khurshid Shah pointed out that four ministers are replying to the questions. Upon this the deputy speaker said that the issue should be brought into notice of the Prime Minister.
It is pertinent to mention that PR relies on handouts of Rs2.5 billion ($2.8 million) a month to pay salaries and pensions. The institution is facing losses forecasted up to Rs35 billion ($390 million) in the fiscal year starting from July 2011 and ending in June 2012.
Govt to extend railway track to China: Bilour
