March 28, 2003	Friday	Muharram 24, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, March 27: The Senate was informed here on Thursday through a written reply that the government intended to initiate a new train service between Rawalpindi and Quetta with imported Chinese coaches. The new service is likely to be started from April 2003.

The question was asked by Senator Rehmatullah Kaker while the written reply was given by Minister for Railways Ghaus Baksh Mahar.

He said the total length of Railway track in Balochistan was 1,185 kilometres, of which 273km was under speed restriction due to high percentage of un-serviceable sleepers.

However, rehabilitation of 123km of track at a cost of Rs329 million has already been provided for in the approved PC-1 of track rehabilitation 2001-2006, now under implementation. Sixteen kilometres of sleeper renewal on Sibi-Quetta has already been completed so far and further work is in progress.

For rehabilitation of the entire length of track under speed restriction in Balochistan, an amount of Rs740 million is required. However, the minister denied that the condition of coaches plying between Quetta and other parts of Balochistan was very poor, saying their condition was the same as those plying on the rest of Pakistan Railways network.

The Senate was also told that Pakistan Navy (PN) had launched many initiatives for the benefit of populace living in Ormara (Balochistan). This was contained in a reply to Senator Sanaullah Baloch’s query.

A proposal to provide 400 KVA electricity to Ormara town was being finalized with Wadpa at the rate of Rs2/Kwh for two years. This has been decided as a goodwill gesture for the area people.

The naval base was also providing free medical services to the people of the area as and when requested. At times serious patients were airlifted to Karachi on PN aircraft whenever possible. In addition, regular medical camps were held on a six-monthly basis in which specialists gave medical advice free of charge. Generally, about 2,000 patients visit the medical camp on each occasion from Ormara and adjacent areas.

The Pakistan Navy was also taking interest in the educational effort in coastal areas in collaboration with the Balochistan government, according to the reply. In this regard, PN was processing a case for taking over Ormara’s High School to manage its affairs, both for better administration and imparting quality education. The PN was also establishing a primary-level English medium school at Ormara. Children of locals would also be accommodated in this school. In addition, the PN was providing free textbooks to all the students of primary-level classes (up to class V) in all high/middle/primary schools of Ormara tehsil.

Lectures have been arranged in high/middle schools of the area to spread awareness on healthy/clean environment among students and their parents. Beach cleaning has also been carried out with the assistance of the local populace a number of times. Free saplings were also distributed in the town during tree plantation campaigns, the reply said.

The construction of coastal highway was made possible after rigorous pursuance by the PN, it said. The road will contribute to the overall development of Balochistan and gradually boost economic activity in the area in the years ahead.

The Senate was informed that the development of Jinnah Naval Base (JNB) project and construction of coastal highway had increased economic activity in the area. It had also provided earning opportunities to the locals.