LAHORE, April 2: The Pakistan Railways’ earnings from its dryports have increased to Rs38 million a month despite recession in export/import business in the country because of the US led invasion on Iraq.

A ‘war surcharge’ of $500 has been levied on per 40-ft and $250 per 20-ft container, affecting Pakistan’s import and export transactions.

At an average, at least 38 goods trains, which leave the Lahore dryport for Karachi monthly, bring Rs35 million income for the railways. A sum of Rs3 million is being earned from other dryports in the country.

During the last month, as many as 132 wagons laden with rice were dispatched to Iran from the Lahore dryport, while more than 100 wagons would leave for Zahidan this month.

Meanwhile, the Lahore dryport authorities have recovered nearly Rs10 million due against customs and traders.

According to a railway spokesman, around 50 per cent of the earnings secured by the NLC by hauling goods from Iran would be given to the Quetta dryport. It is expected that the railway will get Rs13.2 million per annum under this head.

The spokesman also said normal railway traffic on the Dera Ghazi Khan-Jacobabad section had been restored. The Khushhal Khan Khattak Express and the Chiltan Express are now going through their original route to Quetta.

Traffic on the route had been suspended for two days, and the two trains had been re-routed through the main line due to unrest in Kashmor after reported attacks by the Bugti tribesmen on Mazaris.

It is learnt that the railway authorities will introduce a new train on the Jacobabad-Rohri section. Railway minister Ghaus Bakhsh Mehr will inaugurate the Budhal Faqeer Express in Jacobabad on April 4 (Friday).

According to an announcement made by the railway management, the Khushhal Express and Mehr Express will stop at Choora Sharif for two minutes during urs on April 10, 11 and 12.