Rail fares cut by 33pc on Eid

Saad says Royal Palm Club sealed for violation of agreement

LAHORE

Pakistan Railways will reduce the fares of all trains by 33 percent for the first and second day of Eidul Fitr.

Addressing a press conference at Pakistan Railways Headquarters here on Friday, Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique announced that reduction in fares would be applicable to all classes of all trains.

The minister said  that railway track between Shahdara and Raiwind would be converted into a clean and green corridor, adding that the purpose behind it was to remove heaps of garbage along the track and to enhance the track beauty. Pakistan Horticulture Authority (PHA) would complete this project in two years which would be a pilot project, he added.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique has said that the contract with Royal Palm Country and Golf Club had been terminated through legal ways and action was taken against illegal possession. Listing a number of violation of the contract agreed by the Railways and the club, Saad Rafique said that 103 acres of Royal Palm Country Club was leased in 2001 for 33 years, however, it was illegally extended to 140 acres for a duration of 49 years in gross violation of the agreement. As a result,  33 PR officer’s bungalows and 108 quarters of railways were demolished to increase the land area from 103 acres to some 140 acres.

He pointed out that the contract was malafide and the Railways administration of the time was implicit in it. He said that according to the agreement the land use charges were set at Rs 21.6 million annually which was changed to Rs 2.16 million in violating of the agreement. Among other violations of the contract, Saad Rafique said that a five star hotel had to be constructed in the club which was not built.

In addition, the Royal Palm management had to give 10 per cent to the railways out of its gross revenue, which was not paid. He pointed out that the club had not submitted audit and accounts for over four years.  He said that cinemas marquees were built without permission.

The minister said that the club had not paid rent to the railways for the last two years and also did not pay gross revenue share for three years. Saad said that the case of the club was in the Supreme Court (SC) but it did not restrain the railways from taking action against the defaulter. The minister said that at present the activities of the club had been suspended which would be resumed after Eid.

He said that currently the Railway Estate Development and Marketing Company (Private) Limited was looking after the club matters and further decision would be made later. He said that people who had booked events might contact Redamco and as far as members of the club were concerned it would be seen as to how they could be facilitated as per law. He said that all healthy activities in the club would take place except selling of alcohol.

To a question the minister said the Royal Palm case was under investigation in NAB and the railways was hopeful that its money would be recovered.  He said that NAB Islamabad Pindi chapter was dealing with the club case. He said that it was not tolerable that those who looted billions of rupees continued it.

Saad Rafique said that he was approached by influential individuals to reverse the decision of Pakistan Railways, but he wanted everyone to know that no approach no matter ow powerful shall be considered.

Pakistan Railways Chief Executive Officer Javed Anwar and all other officials of the railways were present. Earlier, Pakistan Railways Police on the directive of the PR top management and administration seized control of the royal Palm Country and Golf Club and shut it down completely, not allowing any member to enter the premises.