Federal Minister for Railways, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said that all possible efforts would be made for keeping fares of economy class capped to avoid further increase. Prime Minister, Imran Khan will inaugurate new Sir Syed Ahmad Khan Express train on June 15, which will run between Rawalpindi to Karachi.
While addressing a press conference on Saturday at the Railways Headquarters, he said: "If economy class fares are to be increased, it would not be more than Rs50." "Pakistan railway is facing more than one billion rupees additional financial burden due to increase of diesel prices in the country," he added.
The Minister said now the PR mobile application would also be available on iPhone, adding that efforts were being made so that railway labourers could get health cards and grade up-gradation. The efforts were also being made to implement the decision of judiciary regarding Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) within 15 days, he maintained.
He added the KCR could be developed through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) funding. He further said that a team had been constituted in this regard headed by Divisional Superintendent, Asghar Bhutto who would retrieve the land from land grabber.
He said that Pakistan railways will support the Sindh government in retrieving the land. In response to a question, Sheikh Rashid said the PR was not being privatized. The Minister said new 1800 km long rail track, free of railway crossing, will be laid down under ML1. He said Pakistan railway has earned Rs45 billion which is four billion extra as compared to previous year. The administration has also saved more than 1.7 million liter fuel.