RAWALPINDI:
Vowing to bring Pakistan Railways (PR) back on track, Railways Minister Khwaja Saad Rafiq said he was working on a plan for its revival.
Talking to reporters at Rawalpindi Railway Station on his arrival from Lahore, he said in the first phase, PR’s encroached lands would be retrieved from land grabbers and no exception will be acceptable in this regard. “However, there will be a different policy for katchi abadis set up on PR lands.”
The minister said all-out efforts will be made to bring an end to corruption and get rid of corrupt officers. A result-oriented mechanism will be prepared to end corruption in the department, he added.
“Special steps are being taken top trace out pilferages for which vigilant cells will be established on a provincial level,” Rafiq said. I will travel by train and request other parliamentarians to do the same to motivate PR and increase revenue-generation.
He said he was considering whether to provide new locomotives or repair existing ones to facilitate passengers. “I’ve talked to passengers and learnt about their difficulties and have travelled in almost every class. They also gave some tips which I’ll discuss with senior officers and engineers,” he said.
The minister warned that the performance of senior officers would be evaluated, “I won’t tolerate any laxity from officials and those who don’t work will be sent home.”
He added that he would hold meetings with all representatives of railway unions and learn about their demands. “Their demands will be met if genuine,” he said, adding that unions would be taken on board to revive the railway.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 18th, 2013.
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I sure hope to God that you are sincere with this, you seem so. I dearly wish so!