LAHORE, May 19: Rail tickets could be purchased through credit cards from June 1 while e-ticketing would be started from August 1, Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said on Saturday.

Up to 10 tickets could be purchased through a credit card, he said at a press conference at the railways headquarters here. The freight booking, he said, would also be computerised.

During the next 60 days, international standard facilities would be provided to passengers during journey. Provision of quality food at economical prices would also be ensured. Major railway stations would be renovated and special cells would also be set up there to redress passengers’ complaints.

Some 300 wagons and 75 locomotives would be procured to meet the shortage of rolling stock. Unnecessary restriction on main track were being eliminated that would minimise the journey time between Karachi and Lahore by one hour.

A decision had been taken to dualise track on Lahore-Gujranwala and Lahore-Faisalabad sections in phases. Shuttle train service between small cities would also be launched soon.

Sheikh Rashid said that signals system would be improved soon. Pace of work on mass transit rail system in eight cities would be expedited.

It had been decided that in future standard gauge track would be laid that would help establish link with international railways. To begin with, standard gauge track would be laid on the Quetta-Taftan section so that a link with Europe could be established through Iran and Turkey.

Pakistan would get the contract of laying track between Jeddah, Makkah and Madina which would have links with Istanbul and Taftan. After three years, Pakistan Railways would be able to carry pilgrims for Hajj via train through Iran.

“We are going to train 5,000 workers who would lay rail track between Makkah and Madina as the Saudi Arabian law permits only Muslims in the two holy cities,” he added.

More funds for the rehabilitation of railways had been sought in the forthcoming budget. “We have started getting business, especially in the freight sector. We’ve invited the president and the prime minister to visit the Mughalpura Workshops. They will themselves see the situation there that would help speed up the process of funds allocation.”

Sheikh Rashid said he was yet to get reports regarding the leasing of railway clubs at Lahore and Karachi. “Rest assured, I’ll initiate within 48 hours action against those found responsible for any irregularity in the deals.”

Efforts, the minister said, were under way to remove hindrances in leasing out the excess railway land so that the money thus obtained could be utilised for the railways rehabilitation. —Staff Reporter