Pakistan Railways: Apex court resumes hearing on non-payment of salaries, pensions

Chief justice grills officials over report demanding Rs28 million for rehabilitation of the state owned enterprise.

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan resumed a suo motu hearing on non-payment of salaries to Pakistan Railways (PR) employees and pensioners, today (Thursday), Express 24/7 reported.

A two-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, carried out the hearing.

(Read: No salaries if pensions held any longer: SC to management)

Railways officials submitted a report in the court, as per its directives, claiming that the dues of railways employees were paid.

The report also said that Rs28 million were needed for the rehabilitation of the state owned enterprise and that the amount will also be spent on renovation of locomotives.

Justice Chaudhry grilled the officials over the report and brushed aside the demand of funds in the report.

The chief justice also said that the competence of the newly appointed chairman of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) will be tested on the basis of his performance in pointing out discrepancies in Pakistan Railways.

Earlier on November 28, the supreme court had directed PR to immediately clear pensioners’ dues and asked for its departmental record to determine when faulty locomotives will become functional again.