MULTAN – Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed Sunday has announcedthat Pakistan Railways will launch fastest ever train service with speed of260 kph.
He further said hospitals and schools being run by the Railways would beprivatized.While addressing the business community here at Multan Chamber of Commerceand Industry (MCCI), he said that Multan had one of the best hospitalbuildings compared to other buildings of Railways. The business communityshould take over it and serve the countrymen.Pakistan Railways would also provide staff to facilitate the businessmen,he said added that Pakistan Railways had over 400 acres of land availablein Multan and some other districts in the region and businessmen should getit on lease for setting up plant nurseries. The businessmen should playtheir effective role for progress and prosperity of the country.The minister said 38 trains including eight express ones stop in Multan,and one more express train is being scheduled to stop at Multan railwaystation in near future while Zakariya Express would also get new coaches.Work on another 230 coaches is being carried out currently, he maintained.Sheikh Rashid said that Pakistan Railways had set target of running 20freight trains also. He urged businessmen to run freight trains and payrent to Pakistan Railways. He expressed satisfaction over the excellentrailways track. He also extended offer for provision of coaches on rentbasis for transportation of fruits and vegetables.He said that strict action would be initiated against passengers travellingwithout tickets. Speed of trains would be improved from 120km to 260km perhour, he added.Earlier, Muhammad Sarfraz, the president of Multan Chamber of Commerce andIndustry, presented different demands. He called for restoration of ShahRukn-e-Alam train, changes of coaches of Bahauddin Zakariya Express, makingMultan a stop of Greenline Express, facility of advance reservation,particularly for traders and industrialists, changing of timings of trainsrunning between Lahore and Multan.On this occasion, representatives of different chambers of south Punjabwere also present.
