Risalpur unit: Locomotive factory undergoing upgrade

Railways Minister says process to induct new locomotives has begun

ISLAMABAD: The process for the up-gradation and commercial operations of Pakistan Locomotive Factory Risalpur on joint-venture basis with private sector’s participation is under way, informed Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique to the Senate.

“Pakistan requires 500 locomotives to meet the anticipated freight and passenger traffic during the next 10 years,” he said.

“With this in view, many companies of the world are ready to enter into cooperation with Pakistan for the assembly and manufacturing of locomotives,” he added.

He said the process of inducting new locomotives had begun and an order for 55 high-horsepower engines has been placed with General Electric.

Also present was the interior minister who told the House in a written reply that, so far, over 182,000 manual arms licenses had been computerised.

The chairman informed the House that Finance Minsiter Ishaq Dar would make a policy statement on the state of the economy in the Senate next week.

The chairman also asked the government to clarify the situation on Monday regarding non-payment of salary and regularisation of contract teachers of Islamabad. The House will now meet on Monday.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2016.

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