Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique on Thursday inaugurated Hazara Express which will run between Havelian and Karachi after its renovation.
Talking to newsmen at City railway station, he said the Railways Department and Pakistan Railway Advisory and Consultancy Services (PRACS) were working together to improve Hazara Express.
He said the facilities available in the train had been upgraded and new features had been added.
He said these would include announcements for passengers at every stop, curtains for privacy, a prayer area, first-aid facilities and food carts for travellers.
The minister said Pakistan Railways was dedicated to improving passenger trains and an action plan had been made in this regard.
He said 91 coaches would be added to the existing trains.
Rafique said Pakistan Railways was expected to earn Rs1 billion annually after upgrades were completed.
He said the department was focusing on ending unnecessary stop-overs. Rafique said luggage vans would also be introduced and would be attached to all major trains.
He said PR had reduced fares after petroleum prices were reduced.
The minister said National Logistic Cell (NLC) locomotives would become part of the system from January 1.
Rafique said Pakistan Railways was expected to earn Rs8 billion from its freight sector.
Responding to a question, he said that at least five years were needed to convert all unmanned crossings to manned crossings. He said the Railways Department needed support from all provinces in this regard.
To another query, he said that there was consensus among all political leaders on special trial courts to tackle terrorism.
He said the courts would be time-bound and its objectives would be clearly outlined.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 26th, 2014.
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