KARACHI, March 26: The Pakistan Railways Workers Federation on Monday expressed concern over the handing over of trains on a contract basis, and demanded that the system be abolished or introduced through open tenders to ensure transparency in the process.

In a statement issued here, PRWF chief Manzoor Razi said that the Railways had handed over Bolan Mail, on contract to the Pakistan Railways Advisory Consultants Services (PRACS) which would start the service on April 15. He claimed that The PRACS had not yet paid the contract amount of Rs150 million pertaining to the operation of Hazara Express and Ruhi Express it had already undertaken to operate on a contract basis.

He expressed astonishment over the PR move to hand over the third train service to the same company. Responding to the Dawn queries, Shamim Shirazi of the PRACS said that the company was operating the two trains but he had no idea whether the company had accumulated any arrears outstanding against it.

He said he would have to check the records first before saying anything in this regard.

Regarding the contract for Bolan Mail operation, he maintained that nothing had been conveyed to the PRACS in writing so far.

Railways Day: Meanwhile, the federation is organised a meeting at the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday (March 27) to mark the International Railways Day.