ISLAMABAD – Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Wednesday saidthat about Rs 20 million free of cost tickets had been provided till dateto senior citizens of over 75-year age.
Responding to a query during question hour in the National Assembly,he said Pakistan Railways had been providing 50 percent discount to65-year olds, 50 percent to disabled and students and 25 percentdiscount to a person traveling along with a disabled person.Responding to another question, he said, that the rehabilitationof 52 kms track had been made during the last four months within theavailable budget. He said no new railway tracks had been laid duringthe tenure of present government since August 2018 due to financialconstraints.The minister said that under China Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC) double track from Karachi-Peshawar (ML-1) of 1681 kmswould be replaced and upgraded.He said first aid boxes and emergency medical facilities wereavailable in passenger trains as well as at Railway Stations.
He said operation staff, station masters, assistant station mastersand guards had been trained about use of medicines available in firstaid box and emergency kit for providing emergency medical service tothe sick and injured passengers during the journey.Sheikh Rashid said rail service between Mirpurkhas-Nawabshahhas not been restored as it was meter-gauge track.
He said that restoration of this section required laying of new BroadGauge Track and procurement of rolling stock.