In an effort to boost the department’s earnings, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Railways asked the pertinent authorities to investigate the practicality of exporting petroleum, gypsum, and other commodities via freight trains.
In an effort to boost the department’s earnings, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Railways asked the pertinent authorities to investigate the practicality of exporting petroleum, gypsum, and other commodities via freight trains.
The committee, led by MNA Muhammad Mueen Wattoo, received a thorough briefing on additional subjects from Pakistan Railways CEO Arshad Salam Khatak. The committee was also apprised by Khatak about the current financial difficulties Pakistan Railways is experiencing.
The CEO stated that the Ministry of Railways was the only organization that managed its expenses, such as wage and pension payments, by the income it received as opposed to depending on the government.
He claims that the amount of money made by passengers on Pakistan Railways has dropped by 20%, and the amount made by freight—which includes the delivery of coal to the Sahiwal power plant, which generates 320 Mega Watts of electricity—has also shown a pattern of decline.
Arshad Islam claims that the department expressed concern about the problem because it showed that passengers were not using rail travel, which is less expensive when compared to other forms of transport, more expensive forms of travel, showing an underlying issue of subpar services.
The committee took a trial rail trip to show that it was willing to look into the matter.
In response to the Ministry’s request, the group decided to approach the government regarding either the allocation of Rs 20 billion in funds or a suspension of pension payments (which would then be paid for by the Federal Government).
The committee also recommended that the federal government make it clear in the mission statement of the Ministry of Railways whether it was a for-profit company or a social service.
The Ministry provided information regarding a woman who was sexually assaulted at Okara Railway Station, hinting that the perpetrators had been found and that other employees who were on duty at the time had been suspended for their incompetence.
The committee voiced concern about the contract signed for the Railways School adjacent to Kala Pull Karachi in response to a video that appeared on social media showing female pupils being forced to perform janitorial jobs.
The Ministry stated that the school’s administrative oversight was given to a third party because the department was unable to continue operating it owing to financial constraints.
The group sought that the contract be considered illegal and that an urgent competitive procedure be implemented via advertisement, claiming that the administrative control was transferred through a politically motivated and non-competitive method.
According to the Ministry, a legal battle against encroachment on Railways’ land in Zhob is still in progress.
There were many people in attendance at the meeting, including Ali Pervaiz, Muhammad Khan Daha, Ch. Muhammad Hamid Hameed, Dr. Muhammad Afzal Khan Dhandla, Ramesh Lal, Engr. Sabir Hussain Kaim Khani, Nauman Islam Shaikh, and Ch. Muhammad Hamid Hameed.
In addition, MNA Qadir Khan Mandokhail and the motion mover for calling attention were there. There were also senior representatives from Pakistan Railways, the Ministry of Railways, and the Railways Police.