Railways future very bright: minister

LAHORE: Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said that CPEC was not a project of 10 to 20 years merely rather it is a long-term scheme that aims at transforming economic opulence in Pakistan.

The minister expressed these views while speaking at a seminar on “Future of Pakistan Railways and logistics in the light of CPEC” held at the University of Management and Technology (UMT) here Monday.

According to a press release, Kh Saad said when he took over the charge of Pakistan Railways the circumstances were worse as there was no fuel to run the trains. All railway stations were at the mercy of contractors who were looking after the system.

“Today, more trains are on the track with more passengers than past have got registered with our system. E-ticketing and Wi-Fi facilities are just few to mention”, the minister said, adding, despite the loss fares had been reduced that resulted in generation of revenue. He said the government has provided life insurance to every person travelling through trains, which is a new facility that even neighbouring country India has not such an offer.

The minister said Pakistan Railway is rapidly developing itself and despite loss, we haven’t received a bailout package from the government in the last four years. He said the future of railway is very bright because it is a major source of revenue generation and tourism promotion.

“We’ve developed a team of dedicated and honest individuals who if are not politically interfered and allowed to work freely could bring a great change in the railways department”, he said. The minister emphasised on the need to work together for the national development beyond political affiliation and personal interests. He advised the universities to start research and degree programmes on railway engineering especially locomotive machinery so that potential and educated individuals take the charge of railway department for the better of the country.

The senior PML-N leader appreciated UMT Management for directly contacting with Chinese universities for student and faculty exchange programmes and starting Chinese language at the varsity which will support the CPEC scheme.

Addressing the seminar, Rector UMT Dr Muhammad Aslam assured the federal minister that UMT would try its best to prove up to expectations of the government regarding conducting research and starting training workshops as well as degree programme on railway engineering. Later on, Dr Hasan Sohaib Murad, chairman of UMT’s Board of Governors, presented a souvenir to the visiting minister.