Punjab plans Rs350bn investment to upgrade railway tracks  – HUM News

Punjab plans Rs350bn investment to upgrade railway tracks  – HUM News


LAHORE: Punjab’s government is ready to invest Rs350 billion to upgrade and dualise railway tracks across the province, Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi told the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Pakistan Railways. 

Speaking at the committee’s meeting, chaired by MNA Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan, Abbasi said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had expressed strong interest in modernising the railway infrastructure to improve travel and cargo movement. 

The committee also sought clarity on the recent closure of three Pakistan Railways subsidiaries: the Railway Construction Company (RAILCOP), Pakistan Railway Advisory and Consultancy Services (PRACS), and the Pakistan Railway Freight and Transportation Company (PRFTC). Abbasi explained that the decision was part of a “right-sizing” move to streamline operations. He said the core functions of these entities were being managed internally by Pakistan Railways, making the SOEs redundant. 

However, the committee recommended that the experienced staff from the closed firms should be absorbed within the railways. 

Concerns were also raised over 47 Pakistan Railways officers currently based abroad but still drawing salaries and perks from the department. Abbasi assured the committee that a review of their cases was under way and details would be shared in the next meeting. 

The committee further urged Pakistan Railways to repair the pedestrian pathway on the Red Bridge over the Kabul River in Nowshera Kalan. A sub-committee was also formed to investigate a controversial audio leak involving senior railway officials in Karachi. The findings are expected within 30 days. 

Separately, the committee rejected a land ownership report related to Mouza Sonaki in Muzaffargarh and decided to summon top provincial revenue officials to help resolve the matter. 

Read next: Heavy rains across Pakistan predicted from Sunday

 



Courtesy By HUM News

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