ISLAMABAD, May 9: Federal Minister for Railways Mian Shamim Haider on Monday told the National Assembly that the government had decided to convert Pakistan Railways Operation Unit into state-owned corporation by June 30, this year. In a written reply to a question of MNA Rana Asif Tauseef, the minister said all other units would also be converted into companies and autonomous bodies.

He said the draft Pakistan Railways Corporation Act 2005, after vetting from the law and finance divisions, would be placed before the cabinet for approval. After the approval from the cabinet, the minister said, the bill would be presented before the parliament before June 30.

In response to another question, the minister said a proposal was under consideration by the Pakistan Railways for laying dual track between Khanewal and Raiwind and between Shahdara and Faisalabad. He said Rs5.172 billion would be spent on laying dual track between Khanewal and Raiwind stations. He said the work would start after the approval of the PC-1 by the Ecnec and funds were made available. Similarly, the minister said, feasibility study would be carried out at a cost of Rs3.4 million for laying dual track on Shahdara-Faisalabad section.