Pakistan Railways (PR) Minister Hanif Abbasi chaired a high-level meeting at Rail Headquarters in Lahore on Tuesday.
The meeting held to review the performance of the Traffic and Commercial Department, said a press release issued by the PR. It also outlined measures aimed at improving services and increasing revenue.
During the detailed briefing, the minister noted that both the freight and passenger sectors had the potential for further improvement. He directed that revenue monitoring be carried out personally by the Chief Executive Officer of the Railways to ensure transparency and accountability. Emphasising the importance of the business community, Abbasi said that providing better facilities to traders and industrialists would help enhance the earnings of the PR.
The meeting discussed operational issues, including the shortage of luggage and brake vans. The PR Minister ordered that the concerned officials address the shortfall on urgent basis. He also instructed officials to discontinue the use of the term “wagons” under the label of dummy coaches. And to ensure that if any coach lacked required material, the PR ensure supply immediately.
Railways Cargo Operation:
The minister welcomed the “growing confidence of the business community” on the PR. He said that the successful operation of two cargo trains had encouraged traders to rely on the Railways for freight services. He directed officials to complete preparations for launching a third cargo train in the near future. “The trust of the business community in railways is increasing, and we must honour it by ensuring punctuality and reliable operations,” the minister said.
The minister also called for the preparation of a model plan consisting of 50 wagons dedicated to the transportation of automobiles, aimed at tapping new revenue streams. He instructed operational officers to personally inspect the quality of refurbished coach rakes to ensure they met required standards.
To improve on-ground assessment, he tasked the Chief Commercial Manager to ensure travelling on trains to identify shortcomings and recommend corrective measures. He directed all Divisional Superintendents (DSs) to ensure auctions within their respective divisions strictly through open and transparent bidding processes.
