ISLAMABAD : The Federal Cabinet has reportedly not entertained Pakistan Railways revival plan due to lack of consultation with other stakeholders, required under the rules of business, well informed sources told Business Recorder.
The Cabinet was informed that Pakistan Railways had not evolved with the passage of time in line with international best practices adopted by modern and efficient world railways. Resultantly, Pakistan Railways lacked matching institutional capacity to effectively responding to the present-day challenges in human resource management, safety of train operations, and private sector engagement. These issues resulted in efficiency gaps in operation as well as business development. Financial burden due to about 120,000 pensioners was another challenge as it constitutes about 40% of the total operational expenses.
The restructuring plan, prepared by Prime Minister’s Advisor on Institutional Reforms and Austerity, Dr Ishrat Hussain, states that there was a dire need to revamp Railways through a number of measures such as strengthening of Railway Board, making merit-based appointment of CEO and hiring of professionals in management scales to supplement its organizational capacity, especially in business development, technical departments, human resource and capacity building, finance, land management and ICT.
The Cabinet was informed that substantial work in this regard had been done in recent past by the Ministry of Railways to resolve these issues on long term basis. A Business Plan was submitted in the Supreme Court of Pakistan in February 2020 with reference to directions of the Supreme Court in HR Case No. 13316-P/2018.
A status implementation report of the ongoing initiatives undertaken by Railways Ministry was submitted to Supreme Court of Pakistan on July 09, 2020. A Reform Plan was presented to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on June 11, 2020.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan, during hearing of case No. 13316-P/2018 on July 09, 2020 directed “there seems to be nothing in sight the operation of Railways in Pakistan could be improved, as not only is the structure of the Railways altogether bad and not workable but also its employees are apparently not fit to operate the Railways, there is need to be serious thinking on the part of Government of Pakistan regarding the operation of Pakistan Railways and overhauling the secretariat from top to bottom to ensure that the Railways operate in Pakistan safely. We expect that such measures will be taken by the Government of Pakistan immediately to ensure that the Railways do not play with the lives of the people and its priorities are not lost. A report, in this regard, may be made available to the court by the Government of Pakistan through the Planning Commission within one month”.
It was pointed out that Supreme Court has given one month’s time to the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives effective from August 20, 2020. Institutional Reforms Cell, Prime Minister’s Office, headed by Dr Ishrat Hussain, Advisor to Prime Minister on Institutional Reform and Austerity had also submitted its report on restructuring of Pakistan Railways.
A comprehensive report on restructuring and improving the performance of Railway on the directives of the Supreme Court of Pakistan was required to be approved by the Government. Report in the light of restructuring plan given by Dr Ishrat Hussain was submitted to the Cabinet. The Plan was sent to the Planning Commission, Finance, Establishment and Law & Justice Divisions. The Cabinet was informed that Planning Commission raised certain queries on the plan which had been incorporated in the plan to be approved by the Federal Cabinet but replies from Establishment, Finance and Law & Justice Divisions have not been received.
The Railways Division sought the approval of the Cabinet to the Restructuring/Revival Plan of Pakistan Railways.
During discussion, Secretary to the Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary pointed out that the summary lacked proper consultation with Establishment, Finance and Law & Justice Divisions as required under rules 11, 12 and 14, respectively, of the Rules of Business, 1973.
Secretary to the Prime Minister also pointed out that the report needs to be presented before the Supreme Court of Pakistan, however it does not indicate the points/issues highlighted by the court and whether the report fulfills the requirements of court’s orders. It was also pointed out by the Cabinet Secretary that the decisions solicited in the presentation were not in line with the proposal in the summary.
The Prime Minister directed the Railways Division to complete the required procedures and resubmit the case. After detailed discussion, the Cabinet directed Ministry of Railways to complete the consultations with Establishment, Finance and Law & Justice Divisions in a week’s time and resubmit the summary for the Cabinet clearly delineating the directions of the court and their responses by the Division.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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