Pakistan Railways incurred Rs40 billion losses, auditor informs SC

LAHORE: The Supreme Court (SC) sought a reply from the railway ministry after it was informed by an auditor on Tuesday that Pakistan Railways had suffered losses of Rs40 billion.

Resuming the hearing of a case pertaining to monetary losses suffered by the vital service, the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar remarked that it is inconceivable how the country is being run with malfunctioning state institutions.

Issuing a notice to the Ministry of Railways over the audit report, the CJP sought a reply from relevant authorities. "The report was to be presented without any pressure," the CJP remarked and then asked whether the ministry had performed in a satisfactory manner during the last five years. "The report is not good," the auditor replied.



When asked whether the past five years were the most damaging for the sector, the auditor said that problems have existed for the last 70 years, but no attempts have been made to resolve the various issues plaguing the service.

Out of 500 railway stations, only 50 are computerised and have digital records. The top judge remarked that it was the irresponsible attitude and delay in the completion of projects which caused fundamental loss to the vital state institution. "The double-track plan has been delayed the last four years as well."

Justice Nisar then directed the auditor to add recommendations to the report and submit it.