LAHORE – Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad on Saturday said hewould request Prime Minster Imran Khan for issuance of an ordinance for thesale of Pakistan Railways land to overcome its deficit.
Addressing a press conference here, he said the prime minister had alreadysought a report regarding the railway land within 15 days.He said the prime minister’s approval would be sought for recruitment of23,000 new employees in the Pakistan Railways. About 10,000 skilledemployees were needed on urgent basis for improvement of services, he added.
The minister said unfortunately the previous government had spent bigamounts on the renovation of railway stations. The job could, he said, havebeen done with a lesser amount, but about Rs 400 million was spent on eachstation.“We will bring private partners and builders for the renovation andupgradation of railway stations,” he added.
The minister said the performance of railway hospitals was very poor, whichwould be handed over to the private sector on public-private partnershipbasis.
“I am in touch with the Army Medical Corps administration in this regard sothat they may take over the charge of the hospitals and better treatmentfacilities could be provided to the PR employees at economical rates,” headded.Sheikh Rasheed said two more upgraded trains, including Moenjodaro Expressand Rohi Express, would become operation soon.
He said the main focus of the current railway administration would be onimproving the freight sector as it was its lifeline.“One or two freight trains will be privatised on test basis for thebetterment of the freight sector,” he added.
To a question, he said the prime minister had appreciated his work. “Therewill be a visible change in the railway within 100 days,” he added.
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He said the prime minister had been requested to revise one scale up of therailway labourers.The minister said the facilities of WiFi and tracking system in trainswould be provided in 100 days.
He said the people would soon hear more good news, like plying a labourtrain for labourers.To a question, he said no suggestion about increase in the fare was underconsideration.To another question, he said no slum settlements (Katchi Abadis) on therailway land would be disturbed on the direction of the prime minister.
The minister said the blind and other disabled persons, with theirwheelchairs in the luggage van, could travel by train free of charge.Moreover, one helper of the disabled person could also travel at half farewith him / her, he added.
To a query about more trains, he said new trains would be operated in thoseareas where road transport facility was not available.Later, the minister visited the Lahore Railway Station to inspect the rakeof newly introduced train Rawalpindi Railcar. – APP
