Federal Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmad Bilour inaugurated the Shalimar Express here on Friday, which would set off for its maiden journey to Karachi under private sector on Saturday morning from Lahore Railways Station. Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Bilour announced one bonus salary for Railways officials, who refurbished the wagons and locomotive of the Shalimar Express.
He said that despite difficult times, Pakistan Railways officials were trying to keep the rail wheel moving. "During the last three months, some 25 engines had been put back on track after necessary maintenance and another 16 engines were being renovated that would join fleet by end-March," Federal Minister pointed out.
He also tried to dispel the impression that he was running a private transport company and trying to stop the wheel of Railways to promote his own business. He underscored that he had no transport business in the country and he was trying hard to keep the trains running. Bilour lamented that despite the Federal Cabinet's approval, the Railways could not get a single penny from Rs 11.1 billion bailout package.
He said that to keep the trains running Pakistan Railways had signed agreement with National Logistics Cell (NLC) that would help PR in refurbishing its locomotive. Both companies would start operating cargo trains in collaboration with each other, he maintained.
He further stated that Pakistan State Oil (PSO) had also increased the Railways credit limit from rupees one billion to rupees 1.5 billion, which would help Railways to make its operations smooth. Speaking about the encroachment on Railway's land, he said PR would take necessary action against encroachers in accordance with the laws and Supreme Court of Pakistan's ruling. The Karachi bound Shalimar Express would stop at six stations, including Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Rohri and Hyderabad, and would reach Karachi at 12:00 mid-night.