The Nazim and Naib Nazim of Bin Qasim Town have encroached on Railway land at gunpoint. This was claimed by the Divisional Superintendent, Karachi before the National Assembly Standing Committee on Railways at its meeting held here recently, according to a press release issued here on Wednesday.
He also complained that the local administration do not cooperate with the Railway Department in this connection. The committee directed the concerned railway officers to maintain record of such land and directed to approach chief secretary and IG police, Sindh in writing in the light of committee recommendations.
Captain Syed Akhlaq Hussain Abidi (Retd) informed that city nazim, Karachi has paid the expenditure for underpasses and bridges on railway track, which have not yet been constructed. MNA, Farooq Azam Malik in his remarks said that encroachment is not possible without the involvement of railway officials.
Briefing the committee, director land said that Pakistan Railways owns total land measuring 67,690 acres on the entire network. He also informed about the land used for accommodation of officers/officials, details of encroached land, land given on lease for shops, staking purpose, mobile phone companies, agriculture, etc.
About the commercialisation of land in Karachi division he said that railway division, Karachi has given 0.623 acres to National Housing Authority (NHA) at Drigh road and 2.68 acres to National Logistics Cell (NLC) on lease. The committee showed displeasure on not taking serious interest and making proper efforts on retrieving encroached land.
While discussing the case of missing file of Railway Golf Club, Lahore, MNA/Chairman Standing Committee, Sardar Tufail Ahmed Khan directed ex-Director Marketing Railway, Lahore, Shafique ulllah Khan to fully cooperate with the investigating officers of this case so that the proceedings may be completed timely.
The committee also recommended that action should be taken against the concerned railway officers and divisional superintendent who were found involved in encroachment. Tasneem Ahmed Qureshi recommended that schedule time of Bhambhoor Express should be changed and lower AC coaches may be started for the people of Sargodha. He also recommended a new train from Sargodha to Karachi be started to facilitate the people.-PR