The deficit of Pakistan Railways stood at Rs. 35.3 billion during the firstseven months (April-October) of the incumbent government’s tenure.
According to documents available with ProPakistani, during the period underreview Railways revenue stood at Rs. 33.76 billion against the expenditureof Rs 69.08 billion.
The budget deficit is always covered through financial assistance providedby the federal government in the shape of grant aid. The federal governmenthas provided Rs. 47 billion during 2021-22 and Rs.45 billion during 2022-23for this purpose. One major reason for the high deficit is the suspensionof trains’ operation for a period of 36 days during August due to floods.
The deficit of Pakistan Railways started in 1974 and since then it hasregularly sought help from the federal government to fill the resources gap.
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The expenditure on regular salaries of approximately 64,000 employees andmonthly pension to approximately 125,000 pensioners is more than Rs.75billion per year.
In addition to expenditure on salaries, pension, high-speed diesel (HSD),and utilities, the repair and maintenance of locomotives, passengercarriages, wagons, and service & residential buildings is also carried outof the available resources.
