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PM chairs meeting on railways restructuring
ISLAMABAD: Following the success of Business Train, Pakistan Railways would launch another train next week in a bid to revive its declining passenger service, Railway officials told Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Friday.Gilani who chaired the meeting to review the measures being taken to revive the Pakistan Railways directed that 50 percent repaired locomotives be dedicated for the freight train service, critical to generate revenue and to make it profitable.
The Prime Minister was informed that Business Express Train operating between Lahore and Karachi, on Public Private Partnership basis was going well on commercial lines.
The authorities have decided to launch Shalimar Express on similar basis on Feb 25. Prime Minister was expected to receive the train at Multan.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the successful operation of Business Express Train between Lahore and Karachi, running without delay or breakdown and directed to ensure its success by maintaining quality, profitability and competitiveness.
The Prime Minister was informed about the agreement between Pakistan Railways and NLC, under which 30 locomotives would be repaired by the organization. Half of the engines would be available
for Pakistan Railways while the remaining would be exclusively used
for transportation of NLC freight.The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Petroleum to double the credit limit of fuel supply to Pakistan Railways to ensure smooth operation of the passenger and freight trains. The meeting also decided to procure locomotives on pro-active basis, as these were vital to rehabilitate the railways.
The Prime Minister directed to fix responsibility against those responsible for preparing defective tender documents for procurement of 150 locomotives. He also asked to operationalize the train between Kasur, Raiwind, Lahore and Shahdara to provide efficient and affordable travel facilities to the people of Lahore and the people living around provincial capital.
Deputy Chairman Planning Commission apprised the meeting that restructuring of the Railway Board based on corporate concept with
the help of world bank, was complete and would be submitted to the
government soon.The Secretary Railways said that Premnagar (Raiwind) dry port equipped with modern facilities was operational and will ease pressure on Lahore dry port and facilitate the business community.
Prime Minister Gilani was informed about new initiatives, including plans for launching four trains and a Parcel Express on Public Private Partnership basis, out-sourcing of ticketing on some routes, the Gul Train that would run between Pakistan and Istanbul and pass through Iran.
The Prime Minister directed Ministry of Finance for a meeting with Ministry of Railways for payment of pension commutations, GP fund dues and other employees related expanse without delay.
Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Bilour, Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance Dr Hafeez Sheikh, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Dr. Nadeem ul Haq, and senior officials attended the meeting. (APP)
Courtesy www.geo.tv