Railways sell-off: no proposal under consideration: Saad

Pakistan Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique has said that no proposal of privatisation of railways is under consideration and process of bringing the organisation out of loss is in progress. Revolutionary changes are being brought in the cargo sector of the organisation while the provision of best travelling facilities is the top most priority of his ministry.
He said this while talking to journalists here on Monday on the occasion of inauguration of new power vans prepared by the Pakistan Railways. He inaugurated 10 new power vans which would ensure provision of better electricity and water facilities to passengers in different trains.
The Minister said that loss of railways is gradually being reduced while process of enhancing salaries of railway police will start from next year. Railways General Manager (Operations) Muhammad Javed Anwer, General Manager (M&S) Asad Ihsan, IG Railways Munir Ahmed Chishti and others were also present on the occasion. The Minister said that after addition of 10 new power vans total number of power vans had come to 20 and more would be added to fleet in months to come.
He said that Railways was now in a position to run eight to 10 cargo trains on daily basis and it is expecting record increase in revenue from goods train this year. He said that Rs 500 million would be spent on repair of 120 coaches in Carriage Factory Islamabad. He said that the organisation would step up efforts to increase oil stocks to up to 20 days of its needs after fall in the prices of fuel while hopefully task of keeping 30 days stock would also soon be met.
He said fares of Pakistan Railways were very low as compared to road transport. He said some trains are in profit and some in deficit but no passenger train would be stopped. Replying to various queries, Saad Rafique said that the PTI should clear its stance over army courts as its leadership supported the idea in All Parties conference but its Hamid Khan had approached the courts against it which was a clear proof of dual policy of the party. He said that the PTI should also clear its position over war against terrorism.