PM directs Railways’ managers to increase profit, reduce deficit

• Sheikh Rasheed, senior officers attend meeting chaired by PM
• Railways minister says dept’s deficit will be reduced by Dec 30
• Ministers says task assigned by PM will be completed
• Rasheed claims WiFi, lights, fans will be provided to commuters

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Thursday gave directions to the authorities concerned to reduce the Railways Ministry’s deficit and to push the department in a profitable trajectory.

Matters related to the department’s performance were discussed in a high-level meeting chaired by the PM.

Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad and other senior officers also attended the meeting.

The PM was reportedly given a detailed briefing pertaining to the department’s fiscal deficit, proposed projects and proposed tools to decrease the deficit.

PM Khan noted that a common man used trains to commute and so they should be upgraded.

On the other hand, Minister Rasheed announced that he will reduce the department’s debt by December 30.

He told media persons, “The task given to me by PM Imran Khan regarding railways will be completed.”

“WiFi will be provided as well as functional fans and lights,” he added.

He explained, “Right now, we will focus on making the best use of the money we have.”

He also said that the department’s managers will attempt to reduce ticket prices instead of increasing them.

“We will erase the Rs42 million deficit that railways is in and will make gauges from Quetta to Taftan by December 30,” he vowed.

Rasheed asserted, “I have zero tolerance for corruption.”