Political promise: Minister assures improve railway schools

Khawaja Saad Rafique says department is focusing on freight trains as their improvement would boost revenue.

LAHORE: Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on Sunday said the department was focusing on freight trains as their improvement would boost revenue. Addressing a labour convention at railway diesel engine shed, the minister said by the next year PR would have 90-100 freighters. “A summary has been sent to the Prime Minister’s House for restructuring of the railway board and chairman of Pakistan Railways will come through competition,” he added. He said the condition of railway quarters, schools and hospitals was very poor. He said a director education would be appointed to improve railway schools and colleges. “In few months, provincial governments, according to Supreme Court orders, would give land back to the department,” he added. He said a permanent force would be made for the patrolling of tracks, adding that there was a need to increase the strength of Pakistan Railways police and a summary had been moved for it.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10^th, 2014.