Railways’ losses stand at Rs40bn, audit officer tells SC

• 70pc revenue goes towards pensions, says audit officer
• Officer claims losses occur due to Railway officials’ irresponsibility 

LAHORE: The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday was informed that losses of the Pakistan Railways stand at Rs40 billion.

The case was being heard by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar at the SC Lahore Registry. The figure was quoted by an audit officer who also presented the department’s forensic audit report to the SC.

The railway administration subsequently issued a notice by the SC regarding the forensic audit report.

Moreover, the audit officer also told the SC that only 50 railway stations had been computerised out of 500 in the country.

The officer alleged that the department was incurring so many losses because Railway officials were irresponsible.

The forensic audit report also revealed that 70 per cent of the department’s revenues goes towards pensions of retired officers.

Earlier on April 14, the CJP had ordered a five-year audit of Pakistan Railways by AF Ferguson & Co, besides seeking a report on the losses incurred by the department within six weeks.

Hearing the suo motu notice case about alleged losses in the railway department, the two-member bench comprising the CJP and Justice Umar Ata Bandial had summoned then Railways minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, who had appeared before the court.

Addressing the court, Rafique had said that the apex court should order an audit of the department for the last 10 years as proof of improvement in the railway’s performance.