ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said Pakistan Railways would be developed on modern lines with the cooperation of China to provide inexpensive travel facilities to the poor people.
In his address at the inaugural ceremony of Rawalpindi Express and Mianwali Rail Car in Islamabad, the prime minister said China had the most advanced railway technology, and during his upcoming visit to China in November this year, cooperation in railway development would be sought.
The prime minister said rail tracks would be laid across the Country to cover all the downtrodden areas. He said Karachi to Peshawar railway track, which was called Main Line-1, was being laid under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Imran Khan said the Railways’ land illegally occupied by mafias would be recovered. However, he clarified that the poor who had settled at Railways’ land in makeshift arrangements would not be disturbed. He said the recovered land would be sold to repay Railway’s loans.
The Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said revenue deficit of Pakistan Railways would be reduced within a year.
The minister said two new trains would be introduced for the people of Sindh from October 16. He said a new train from Peshawar to Karachi would also be launched soon.
Sheikh Rashid aid Pakistan Railways would contribute Rs 100 million annually in the dams fund for which it had increased Rs 1 in the fare for economy class and Rs 10 for the business class. He said efforts were being made to increase Pakistan Railways freight.
Furthermore, the railways minister said senior citizens over the age of 75 years would be entitled for free travel through Pakistan Railways while people of over 65 years would be given 50 percent concession.
The minister said the Railways Ministry was planning to launch Rehman Baba Express from Peshawar to Karachi to facilitate poor people travel facilities at a cost of Rs 1,000 per person.
