Federal Minister for Railways, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said that Pakistan Railways (PR) is considering further reduction in fares by two to three percent as the initiative of previous fares cut has proved to be very positive increasing Railways earnings by two billion rupees.
Addressing a press conference at Railways Headquarters here on Friday, he disclosed that the last reduction increased the seat occupancy rate from 60 percent to 80 percent and "We are hoping to achieve 100 percent seat occupancy rate after further reduction."
"We are planning to take more measures to facilitate passengers and to increase Railways income," he maintained. According to him, Railways Ministry is committed to improve the its employees' conditions and in this connection Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has approved promotion of Guard Grade I, Assistant Master Grade II, Master Grade III, Station Master Grade I and Station Master Grade II by one grade.
Moreover, a high level Railways Committee would also review their salaries and those, who did not benefit from the earlier two packages, would also be accommodated now.
Regarding Samjhota Express tragedy in which 68 people were killed in India, he regrettably said that Indian Railways did not provide Pakistan any record or list. However, he appreciated, the cooperation extended by the Indian Prime Minister after Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz talked to him about it.
Responding to a question, he said that India refused Pakistan's offer for a joint investigation, and it seems that no real progress was being made in the investigation.
"However, we would not allow the matter go to cold storage," he added.
For the promotion of freight trains, which is in line with the PR policy, four new trains would be introduced, he added.
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