Facilitating passengers: New Karachi-Islamabad train in May, says Rafiq

LAHORE:

A new non-stop train between Karachi and Islamabad will be started in May, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq said on Tuesday.

He was talking to reporters after attending the induction ceremony of 10 power vans. “The power vans will be used to run air conditioners and fans in trains during summer,” he said. He said that the Pakistan Railways would send a requisition to public service commission to recruit 20 police inspectors and 49 assistant sub-inspectors. “We have also decided to improve the training module for constables. The management has sent a summary to the federal government for improving the salaries of railway police.”

He said that the Pakistan Railways had asked the federal government for Rs1 billion for improving security at railways stations. “The federal government has agreed to provide Rs400 million,” Rafiq said.

On Monday, Rafiq said the land record of Pakistan Railways would be computerised in the next two years.

A Rs400 million agreement in this regard was signed between the Pakistan Railways and The Urban Unit. PR Project Director Shakeel Ahmed and The Urban Unit Managing Director Dr Nasir signed the agreement. “After the computerisation of land record, the measurements will be reconciled with provincial Boards of Revenue. This will help reduce land disputes with departments,” Rafiq said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 18^th, 2015.