SAHIWAL: Federal Minister for Railways Azam Swati has urged the businessmen to come forward and take the railway land and the stations under public-private partnership.

Speaking to a delegation of the Sahiwal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) at the railway station here on Wednesday, he spelled out that the railway stations and railways land could be given on lease under the new business model.

He said chamber’s cooperation had been sought by the railways as “this is the only way to end the financial crisis of the Pakistan Railways.”

SCCI President Asim Rafique led the delegation.

The minister said there was no option other than privatising the railways under the public-private partnership.

“I am here to motivate the business community to come forward and have railway stations and land.”

He said no railway employee would be removed from his job under the privatisation process but inefficient and corrupt employees would not be tolerated. He said gangmen -- the railway employees who maintain tracks -- were “my soldiers and I will protect their rights the way they protect and maintain railway tracks across Pakistan”.

He said an Elite Force would be developed in the railways. He said he would create a new work culture within one year and bring the organisation out of financial crisis.

The minister hit out at the past rulers who restructured the railway station in Okara.

“The Okara railway station is giving zero revenue,” he said.

Earlier, the minister arrived at the Sahiwal railway station by an Express train. He told media men that he wanted to speak to the business community only. He remained silent when newsmen questioned a lack of implementation of SOPs in the train by which he travelled to reach Sahiwal.

The chamber delegation demanded a new express train on Multan-Lahore route, 10pc booking concession of cargo to Sahiwal, increase in reservation quota and new stop of Green Line and Jinnah Express trains at the Sahiwal railway station.

OKARA: An inquiry will be initiated to fix responsibility for the building constructed in the name of model city railway station from where no train originates and it is causing heavy losses to the railways.

The minister said so during his visit here as part of inspection tour of railway track and buildings after stopover at Raiwind and Pattoki stations. The grand building, he said, had no profit and value for the organisation as it had been closed since its inauguration by then railways minister before the 2018 general election.

Those who planned this useless project and wasted money would be held accountable after a complete inquiry. “Same is the case with the Raiwind railway station from where no train originates,” he added.

It was a better option to renovate the Rawalpindi and Lahore railway stations according to the needs of the public and railway passengers, he said.The minister assured people that he would solve the problems at the earliest.

Senior officers Muhammad Nasir Khalily and Sherry Hina Asghar were among those present.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2021