Talks on with foreign consultants to ‘restructure’ PIA

Rafique says two more trains will be upgraded

LAHORE:

Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique has said that the Karakoram Express and the Karachi Express will be upgraded by June 30 this year.

Addressing a news conference on Monday, the minister said the trains would be upgraded on the Green Line pattern, adding that upgradation of the two trains would provide good travelling options to the passengers.

Rafique said that the process of outsourcing three airports was under way, adding that Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad airports would be outsourced.

He said the airports would be outsourced after competitive bidding. “PIA restructuring has to be carried out and the matter is being discussed with international consultants.”

He said that efforts were being made to provide restructuring roadmap in a few months besides starting its implementation.

Rafique hoped that in a few months, Pakistan airlines would start flying to the UK.

He said that special Eid trains would also be operated, adding that seasonal trains, Awam Express, Shalimar Express and Bahauddin Zakaria Express, would be run during summers.

He said, “We are planning to run a cargo train having a capacity of transporting 12,500 tonnes of cargo.”

He hoped that the branding initiative would help earn a handsome amount of revenue.

He said that the land of railways would be utilised for commercial purposes, as rules had been framed and sent to the cabinet and soon approval would be obtained.

Preparation for introducing solar system at stations, terminals, buildings, DS offices and headquarters was under way to reduce electricity expenses and soon the project would be announced.

The railways had decided to reduce freight fares by 10-15 per cent, he added. He said that Hirok bridge would be completed by coming April 15, adding that efforts were being made to make Sibi-Harnai section operational before the end of this fiscal year.

To a question, he said Nawaz Sharif remained in opposition for 19 to 20 years but not a single corruption case was proved against him. Terming Imran Khan “fascist”, he said that he had nothing to do with democracy.

He said Imran was in himself a “Sicilian mafia”. “Imran Khan is not a leader, he behaves like a gangster,” the minister added.

To another question, he said that it was unfortunate that democracy in the country did not strengthen in the way it should be.

He said that parliament would strengthen when all political parties would understand that they had to set aside their differences in the larger national interest. He stressed the need to stop levelling dirty allegations against each other.