RAWALPINDI, Aug 29: Pakistan Railways has decided to facilitate passengers by linking the post office network with its electronic system for issuing railways tickets. Starting from Sept 6, people in 16 cities will be able to buy railways tickets from post offices, located in such far-flung areas like Gilgit to Karachi, instead of physically going over to a railway station or reservation office. Those who have access to the Internet would be able to get their e-tickets online.

The new arrangement will save a lot of time, said the federal minister for railways, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, while speaking to newsmen at his office on Tuesday.

The ministry of railways and the Pakistan Post Office have entered into a joint-venture, under which passengers will be able to book their seats from post offices at 50 locations in the country.

The federal minister for communications, Mohammad Shamim Siddiquee, who was present at the signing ceremony of the joint- venture with the federal minister for ports and shipping, Babar Khan Ghauri, said the e-ticketing facility would be extended to 50 cities gradually.

The agreement was signed by Ahsan Bashir Sheikh, additional director-general, Pakistan Post and Asad Saeed, general manager (operations), Pakistan Railways in the presence of Mr Ahmed, Mr Siddiquee and Mr Ghauri. The chairman of Pakistan Post, Arshad Khan, was also present on the occasion.

Railways minister said Pakistan Railways was pursing new initiatives and innovative solutions to improve the standard of customer service.

Post offices, in 50 locations, will be linked to Pakistan Railways’ online reservation system. E-tickets will be issued to passengers at designated post offices on cash payment. These tickets, however, will have to be presented to the railway staff for verification along with s copy of computerised national identity card (CNIC) by passengers before staring their journey.

Refunds of e-tickets cancelled over 72 hours before the departure time will be made at the Post Office. In case of cancellation made less than 72 hours before the time of departure, refund will be made at the Pakistan Railways offices.

The 50 locations that include all major cities and far-flung areas of the country where currently railway reservations facilities are not available, and where these post offices will now act as a substitute for them, are: KARACHI: Karachi GPO, Karachi Saddar GPO, Karachi City GPO, Al-Haidery GPO, Defence Market Post Office, Federal B Area Post Office, Express Post, PECHS-6 Post Office, PECHS-II Shahrah-i-Qaideen Head Post Office, Faisal Base Post Office, Shahrae Faisal, Metropole Post Office, Bahadurabad Post Office, Airport Post Office, GPO Korangi, GPO New Town, and HPO Gulshan-i-Iqbal. LAHORE: GPO, GPO Cantonment, GPO Defence, Model Town Post Office, Shadman Post Office, PMG Office Post Office, Allama Iqbal Town Post Office, Faisal Town Post Office, Liberty Market Gulberg-III GPO, and Samanabad Post Office. ISLAMABAD: GPO, D Block Post Office, G-9 Post Office, G-7 Post Office, F-6 Post Office and F-7 Post Office. QUETTA: GPO. RAWALPINDI: GPO, Westridge Post Office, Chaklala Cantt Post Office, Satellite Town Post Office, Urdu Bazaar Post Office. MULTAN: GPO, Gulgasht Colony Post Office. PESHAWAR: GPO. FAISALABAD: GPO, People Colony Post Office, Ghulam Mohammadabad Post Office. GUJRANWALA: GPO. MUZAFFARABAD: Muzaffarabad GPO. HYDERABAD: GPO SUKKUR: SIALKOT: GPO, Saddar Bazaar Post Office. GILGIT: GPO. ABBOTTABAD: GPO.