RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on Saturday said Pakistan Railways had become a profit-earning entity for the first time.
Talking to media after inauguration of refurbished Khyber Mail Train at Rawalpindi Railway Station, the minister said Pakistan Railways had eventually been transformed into a profitable organization, due to consistent efforts for streamlining its affairs and enhancing revenues.
Saad Rafique said hectic efforts were now bearing the fruits and the department had achieved the target of over Rs 50 billion revenue generation till June 30.
The minister said currently, passengers preferred to travel by train instead of other transportation modes as arrival/departure schedule was being strictly ensured. He said the timely arrival and departure had made people to opt for travel by rail which was a positive sign.
The railways minister also informed that Pakistan Railway had almost 73,000 employees and 18,000 pensioners while 65 percent to 68 percent revenue was being spent for welfare of employees.
Furthermore, he said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government was making all out efforts to provide basic amenities of life to the people, adding PML-N would hopefully achieve success in next elections of 2018 on the basis of performance.