ISLAMABAD – Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said PakistanRailways (PR) has 20,000 vacancies available whereas 10,000 essential jobposts would be filled on merit soon.

Talking to Media here on Friday, he said PR has the potential to generatemaximum revenue which could contribute huge amounts to alleviate nationaldebts.

He said that two new Express trains would be launched next week fromIslamabad and Lahore on September 14, 15 respectively. He said PR wouldsoon begin train service reaching Rawalpindi to Lahore in three and a halfhours.He said 60 per cent population inhabits along the railways tracks whereasall railways routes would be made environment friendly.

The minister said 660 passenger coaches were outdated which would beupgraded. “Wi-Fi and passenger tracking systems are going to be introducedin trains for public convenience and safety”, he said.

He said PR is going to sign coal agreement with Jamshoro Power Plant. Heresented the freight rail performance and said it would be upgraded intoone window operation within 15 days.“Pakistan Railways’ success is nation’s success and it has dedicatedofficials who want to improve its performance and PR would soon give goodnews”, he remarked. – APP