Although restructuring the Pakistan Railways is a challenge, Rafiq says change will be visible within the financial year 2013-14. PHOTO: FILE
Instead, the management will introduce a public-private partnership concept to drive the company into profitability. The management will review the contracts of the Business Express, and if loopholes were found, action will be taken against the delinquents.
“Privatisation of Pakistan Railways is completely out of the question,” he said at a public gathering attended by PR officers and subordinates at the Railways’ headquarters on Thursday, where he was due to give policy guidelines.
He said that the Railways was already overstaffed, but from now on all recruitments, transfers and postings will be made purely on merit and without taking any political and administrative pressure.
Although restructuring the Pakistan Railways was a tough task, people will see change within the financial year 2013-14.
Pakistan Railways was the worst among all the sick state-owned companies, as it faced many challenges including obsolete infrastructure, unmotivated workforce, pilferage, corruption and unionisation in all dealings like procurement and auction of scrap material.
The minister warned that no corruption will be tolerated inside the company. Rafiq said that he will rebuild Pakistan Railways, but it will take some time to revive the crisis-hit company.
Responding to a question, he said that acute shortage of locomotives, oil pilferage and mismanagement were some of the greater challenges faced by Pakistan Railways.
We will restructure vigilance directorate while posting competent and honest officers to catch corrupt elements and corruption within the company.
I have already warned the management to minimise delays as it was injustice to the commuters who choose to travel with Pakistan Railways.
Austerity will be promoted in the Railways and the minister said that he will not take salary from the company.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2013.
Like Business on Facebook to stay informed and join in the conversation.
COMMENTS (10)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@wafaq: He is another RR in the making.
The next Ghulam Bilour !
This is Pakistan. Loyalty rules over competency. Look at the ministers, all who are more loyal to Sharif family. Is Saad Rafiq qualified for Railway Minsitery? is he known of the technicalities of Railways?
@Observer: You are 100% right.
Just realised this guy is our Railways minister. OMGGGGGGGGG.
@aaaaa Who said that there was tax on residential building? If khan has 3000 kanal palace even then no tax on palace as simple as that. Go and read income tax ordinance. I think you just speak rather than studying any thing.
Doing election fraud is a lot easier than turning around a public institution. Sad Rafique has no skills to do this job.
@khan Sahib:
Saad Rafique paid more taxes than Imran Khan in the last year. And he doesn't have a 300 kanal palace in Islamabad.
Khawaja saahib, close NLC. They are the number one reason the railways is in the dumps. They handle all freight that in the rest of the world is managed by railways. Freight is the number one revenue generation source of railways everywhere. Unless action is taken against NLC, you will get nowhere.
"Govt has no plans to privatize Pakistan Railways". “Privatization of Pakistan Railways is completely out of the question,” Saad Rafiq said at a public meeting.
If privatized what he will do than. No job no earning. Good thinking on your part Saad. May be this time you will submit your income tax returns indicating sources of income other than Prize Bond wins.
In foot step of his leaders " The Great Sharifs". Keep it up.