Senator Talha Mahmood, chairman, Senate Standing Committee on Interior has said that Pakistan Railways - a backbone of communication system has plagued by corruption. "We have to take appropriate measures to save this institution by eliminating corruption from top to bottom," he said this while talking to reporters here on Saturday.
"Railway is a main source of communication and a large number of people are travelling by train. But lack of facilities and planning creates huge problems for passengers," he lamented. Senator Talha said Pakistan Railways is facing a loss of Rs 28 billion which was Rs 23 billion last year. The loss increases by Rs 5 billion in a year. It is not acceptable when the prices of fuel reached to lowest and fares were not decreased, he added.
"It is challenging to fulfil this loss of Railways," Talha said, adding that Railways is paying Rs 609 million in form of salaries to the employees, but these workers and officers are not delivering 100 percent.
He asked the Railways high ups to make sure the provision of proper facilities to passengers to increase the revenue of the organisation and decrease the losses. He said it is bad luck to all of us that Railways is still having the system of British era and no new technologies were introduced in it so far.
Senator Talha said all the equipment being used by Railways are obsolete and it is need of hour to induct modern equipment and latest technologies in this organisation, besides making quick reforms.
He held lack of planning in Pakistan Railways as main reason of loss in Railways saying that government and all other relevant organisation must take steps to make proper planning in Railways to make it a profitable institution.
Senator Talha said railway tracks maintenance, trains maintenance, fast tracks introduction and e-ticketing system should be the priorities of the government and railway ministry. He appealed to the government to give his full attention towards this department to make it profitable.