Corruption, mismanagement and neglect are driving Pakistan Railways into ruin, ending all goods haulage, and leaving millions of passengers stranded. In the three years since the current government took power, ending a decade of military rule, the Railways has retired 64 of its 104 trains, leaving just 40 left for a country larger than Britain and Germany combined. With expected losses of 35 billion rupees (390 million USD) in fiscal year July 2011 to June 2012 the company relies on government handouts of 2.5 billion rupees (2.8 million USD) a month to pay salaries and pensions.  -- Text and photos by AFP.

Opinion

Respite needed

Respite needed

All one can fear is a familiar accounting exercise that aims to extract a few more rupees from a narrow, weary economic base.

Editorial

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