Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique told the House that the government was continuously working on upgradation of Pakistan Railways to make it compatible with railway system of developed countries.
He was responding to a motion moved by Naeema Kishwar Khan. He said the railway system would be upgraded in four cycles. He said the great improvement in the system has been made in the first cycle.
The minister said the revenue of Pakistan Railway has increased from Rs 18 billion in 2013 to Rs 32 billion till June this year. He hoped that we would earn revenue of Rs 40 billion by June next year and cross the target of Rs 36 billion. He pointed out that the revenue through freight trains has also increased and by June next year it would be Rs 16 billion. He said the punctuality of trains has been increased from 20 per cent to 80 per cent which was a higher rating. He said the Pakistan Railways has oil reserves for 20 days.
Khawaja Saad Rafique said the workshops of Pakistan Railways were running on full capacity and trains were being upgraded to facilitate the people. He said the train service on Sibbi-Khost-Harnai railway track would be started by the end of the next year at a cost of Rs 3 billion. He said the train service on Rawalpindi-Jand-Kohat section would be restored in six months.
The minister said that a number of pieces of railways lands have been vacated and acquired and efforts were underway to retrieve rest of the land of Pakistan Railways from illegal occupation. He made it clear that Katchi Abadis on railway land would not be removed.
He said Pakistan Railways was ready to give lands for Karachi Circular Railway. He said the railway land was being allotted for other purposes under a set policy and its violations would not be tolerated.
Earlier, taking part in the discussion on the motion, the members emphasized that the vast railway land should be vacated from illegal occupation and utilize for earning revenue. They demanded the restoration of different suspended railway lines. The members appreciated the efforts of Railways minister for bringing improvement in the performance of Pakistan Railways.
