‘47 PR officers staying abroad, receiving pay’

ISLAMABAD: The Standing Committee of National Assembly on Railways Friday expressed concerns over reports of 47 officers of Pakistan Railways staying abroad, receiving pay and all the incentives.

Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi told the committee cases of all these officers were being examined. The committee asked for a detailed report on the matter in the next meeting.

The NA standing committee held its meeting with Chairman Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan in the chair. The minister informed the committee all the rest houses of Pakistan Railways were being outsourced to reputed companies for better utilisation.

Regarding the agenda of current status of Royal Palm Golf and Country Club, Lahore, Secretary Railway Board said the last advertisement for leasing was given on March 21, 2025. The leasing process was being supervised by the Supreme Court.

The committee asked about the reasons for winding up of Railway Construction Company (RAILCOP), Pakistan Railway Advisory and Consultancy Services (PRACS) and Pakistan Railway Freight and Transportation Company (PRFTC). The minister briefed the committee Pakistan Railways had adopted rightsizing policy of federal government. Services of these State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) were not required, as the same were being provided by Pakistan Railways, he said. “The ministry decided to wind up these enterprises”, he told the committee.

The committee recommended utilising experienced employees of these enterprises in Pakistan Railways. The panel constituted a sub-committee to probe the enquiry reports regarding audio leak involving currently appointed Divisional Superintendent, Karachi and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pakistan Railways under the convenership of Shafqat Abbas, MNA. Its other members would be MNAs Ibrar Ahmad, Sadiq Ali Memon and Syed Waseem Hussain.

Commissioner Dera Ghazi Khan presented the report regarding land of Mouza Sonaki, Tehsil and District Muzaffargarh. The committee decided to call Senior Member, Board of Revenue, Punjab (SMBR) and Commissioner Dera Ghazi Khan Division to resolve the issue of restoration of the title of land of Mouza Sonaki, Tehsil and District Muzaffargarh to Pakistan Railways.

Regarding provision of clean drinking water at railway stations, the minister apprised the committee water filter plants and water coolers had been installed at major railway stations. He said quality of food at railway stations was also being ensured and janitorial services outsourced to waste management companies.

Regarding discontinuation of landline telephone inquiry desks at all railway stations, Secretary Railway Board said 117 call centres were being commissioned during July 2025.

On the question of freight services, Chief Executive Officer told the committee Railways was providing about 5 to 8 percent of freight services of Pakistan. The committee advised improvement in freight services. The minister said freight services were being outsourced and various multinational companies had shown interest in it. The services would be enhanced soon, he said.

On the question of status of ML-1 project, the minister informed the committee Punjab Chief Minister had shown interest in financing Rs350 billion for upgradation and dualisation of railway track in Punjab.