September 16, 2002	Monday	Rajab 8, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 15: An amount of Rs6.923 billion has been allocated for various development projects of Pakistan Raiways and cooperation of the private sector is being sought for running these projects on commerical basis.

This was stated by Communications and Railways Minister Lt- Gen Javed Ashraf Qazi (retired) while presiding over a meeting here on Sunday.

The meeting which reviewed matters relating to further improvement and performance of Railways and its developmental projects was also attended by secretary Lt-Gen Saeeduz Zafar (retired) and other senior officers.

The minister said due to various reforms, the railways has saved Rs820 million, adding that improvement of the Railways is now visible. He said, assets of PR were being utilized to increase its income and PR has already received Rs304 million from the projects initiated on commercial basis.

The minister said deals worth Rs2 billion are being negotiated with private sector on various other projects.

He said as a result of various measures taken for the railways improvement, it was now making rapid development; its deficit of PR has been controlled and its incoming is increasing gradually.

Highlighting various development and improvement projects, the minister said signaling system was being streamlined. in this connection, he said, installation of modern signalling equipment from Shahdara to Hyderabad has been planned.

The organization, he said, has launched a comprehensive campaign against printing of bogus tickets.

He said, the divisional superintendent, Sukkur has detected a printing press where bogus tickets were got printed.