'Pakistan Railways to be converted into corporation soon'
Pakistan Times Punjab Bureau Report

MULTAN: Pakistan Railways will be converted into a corporation within the next three months, for which necessary spadework has already been done, said Federal Railways Minister Shamim Haider.

Talking to newsmen here Thursday, he said that it will be a state-run corporation and there will be no retrenchment after the corporatisation.

Railways, he said has not utilised over Rs 5 billion of the total subsidy of Rs 12 billion it utilises every year to offset its losses.

Efforts are being made to turn this state organ into a profitable enterprise, that is why only essential and technical staff is being recruited, although some 10,000 posts are lying vacant in the department, he remarked.

Dualisation of Carriageway

Observing that these are times one must learn to live within one's means, he said the ministry recently recruited just 250 technical staff on merit.

The Minister said that dualisation of the carriageway from Sher Shah to Khanewal has been completed, and it will now be extended to Raiwind at a cost of Rs 5.7 billion.

"Pakistan Railways is focusing on electrification as oil prices are going up internationally, rendering the locomotive railway system economically less feasible".

Maintenance of electric railway costs half that of trains run by diesel engines, while the former system is also more environment-friendly.

Of Rail Engines

To a question about rail engines imported from China Shamim Haider said that 2,000-horse power engines are operating successfully while the 3,000-HP engines imported from our brotherly country China developed some problems and cracks appeared in their bodies which have been repaired and the warranty period has also been enhanced from two to five years.

He said the case has been referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for inquiry to see whether any kickbacks had been received by any individual in the deal.

Khokhrapar-Monabao rail Link

He said the problem seemed to have been publicised and overplayed by some vested interests because some feel a threat from ever-flourishing Chinese economy. To another question the Minister said that Khokhrapar-Monabao rail link would definitely benefit those Karachiites whose kith and kin live in India.

He said given the ever-spiralling prices of oil on the global level Pakistan railways will have to revise its freight charges. The Central Asian link by rail would be a boon for our country, he observed.

He said Afghan government has been approached for right of way in this behalf. Once the green signal is received work will start instantly on that project.

To another question the Railways minister said that although fares for a few categories have been revised, over 50 percent passengers have not been affected by the increase.

Negligible Mishaps

About train accidents, he said the percentage of such mishaps in Pakistan is negligible, however, he added, some saboteurs in tribal areas do indulge in negative activities which do not fall under the purview of accidents.

The Minister said that the night coach service from Multan to Karachi could be restored if found economically viable, although Zakariya Express has also been introduced on the same route.

"There is no overstaffing in the department," he remarked, adding that against the approved strength of 95,000 employees, the Railways is being run by 85,000 staffers. Still, only essential recruitment will be made, he said.

Shamim Haider said that Railways had to bear an additional expenditure of Rs 314 million this year on account of costlier diesel, however, fares had not been increased to match the higher cost.

He directed the Divisional Superintendent to get the travel concession cards for the Multan journalists issued within a week's time.●