Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on Saturday termed that the ML-I upgrade plan a backbone of the CPEC project and said that the PR was also keen on engaging the Chinese to upgrade its strategic Mainline II and III tracks. He further said innovations are being introduced to make Pakistan Railways a profitable institution.
While talking to media persons after attending a meeting at PR divisional office here, Sheikh Rasheed said the ML-I project is inevitable for development of the Pakistan Railways. He said the mode of investment for ML-I Project, will be determined by Prime Minister Imran Khan following the completion of initial report of the project's phase-I by December 25.
Pakistan Railway's track from Peshawar to Karachi or the Mainline-I [Mainline-I]-a strategic scheme under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project under which the Railway Track (1,872kms) will be rehabilitated and upgraded. In this regard, an agreement was signed between Pakistan Railways (PR) and the National Railway Administration of China (NRAC).
The minister said that Russian and German companies are showing keen interest for Mainline II and III tracks. But, he said that the China is our topmost preference in this regard. He said the PR plan to lay new double tracks from Peshawar to Karachi and fencing surrounding to prevent encroachment on the railways property.
He said that PR will run new trains under 100-days agenda. While, he said the freight trains will be increased from 8 to 12 by March next year. He said the recruitments will be ensured on purely merit basis in the Pakistan Railways.
Sheikh Rasheed said that the PR will give preference to recruit young people by expelling the retired employees. He also disclosed that the PR has planned to give all railways' schools and hospitals to private sector or partnership for better management.
The minister said that the locomotives will be run with latest technology, adding that foreign ?entrepreneurs will be given incentives to invest in Railways for increasing its revenue.? He said the Rehman Baba train will be formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan today.
Replying to a question, Sheikh Rasheed has accused former ?Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari of looting the nation. ?He said that now, people will decide ?between 'thief' and 'guardian'. He also announced to sack ghost employees working in the department.
When asked about Safari train from Peshawar to Torkham, he said that PR will run the Safari train under public-private partnership. He said the Pakistan Railways has also planned to run Safari train from Peshawar Museum to Taxila as well as increase number of stalls at 1,000.
He, on occasion, sought the assistance of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) for removal of 5,000 to 10,000 houses, encroached on Pakistan Railways lands. He said the government is also working for welfare of Railways workers.?
To another query, the minister has directed that the Peshawar Divisional Office to remove the custom outdated vehicles dumped on Pakistan Railways cantonment stations by December 20.