LAHORE: Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmad on Saturday sounded warnings to ‘occupants’ of railways land and the retired employees, rehired on contract basis on hefty packages.

“The Karachi Stock Exchange is among those utilising railways land worth billions of rupees since long without paying nominal or nothing. The occupants, including the KSE management, should vacate the properties immediately and join the legal process to regain the possession of the land,” said Sheikh Rashid at a news conference at Pakistan Railways headquarters here on Saturday.

Asking the employees, working on contract for the last 10 to 12 years after retirement, to find by Nov 10 jobs elsewhere, the minister said he wanted to give young blood more opportunities in the railways.

Seemed a bit annoyed over media reports challenging his claims of revenue increase since his takeover, Sheikh Rashid reiterated to make railways a profitable organisation within a year. “During our first 60 days, railways earned Rs1.1 billion more in freight sector compared to corresponding period of last year. Railways will be earning Rs10bn profit after a year,” he said.

Tracking devices to be installed in locos to examine fuel consumption

To a question, the minister said railways had bought several acres of land in Gwadar and would acquire more property there. “I would soon hold a meeting with the Balochistan chief minister for the purpose. Through government-to-government arrangements we can get the land free of cost,” he said.

To another question, the minister said the passenger sector has never been profitable anywhere in the world. However, more trains would be operated to facilitate the poor of the country.

“So far, we launched six new passenger trains and will operate another six in the coming months. But we will evaluate all the newly-inaugurated trains for 30 days to check the profitability on their route. Trains will continue to operate on routes having enough passengers and enough goods or freight traffic. We will formulate a policy to involve private sector in our operations but only after thoroughly analysing profitability and passenger traffic,” said Sheikh Rashid.

To a question, the minister said work on Karachi circular railway would begin from Oct 31 when President Dr Arif Alvi would inaugurate Dhabeji Express, running from Karachi to Dhabegi. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan would inaugurate Hyderabad Express that would run between Karachi and Hyderabad after returning from China. Work was also under way to start Rehman Baba and Sindh Express trains, he said.

The task force on freight had been directed to achieve targets of 15 trains a day from Karachi as soon as possible, he said while adding that efforts were under way to launch the containers doorstep service within next three weeks.

The minister said tracking devices would be installed in all locomotives to examine fuel consumption and its report would be uploaded on internet for general public.

Regarding the upcoming visit to China, the minister expressed the optimism that all matters related to Pakistan Railways’ Main Line I and II would be settled.

“Railway is the backbone of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as 65 per cent of country’s population is settled along rail tracks,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2018

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