Delay in title transfer hindering PR land retrieval

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Railways has recommended a one-month deadline for provincial chief secretaries to transfer titles of encroached railway land to Pakistan Railways, warning that failure to comply with would result in their summoning before the committee.

The recommendation came during the committee's 10th meeting held at the office of the Divisional Superintendent of Pakistan Railways, Karachi, chaired by Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan on Wednesday, according to a news release.

Members were briefed that out of 19,594 acres of railway land in the Karachi Division, 954 acres have been encroached upon by private individuals. Of this, about 340 acres have been retrieved over the past three years.

The divisional superintendent highlighted that one of the major hurdles in reclaiming encroached land is the delay in transfer of land titles from provincial governments to Pakistan Railways.

As part of the meeting, the committee also visited Karachi Port Trust, Keamari, to observe freight loading and unloading operations, which they appreciated for its efficiency. The members later inspected the Cantt. Railway Station to review public facilities and overall conditions.