Business

Private sector to run three more train services

Minister rules out privatisation of Pakistan Railways

Peer Muhammad September 11, 2015

Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique. PHOTO: NNI

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Railways has planned to run three train services under the public-private partnership model in the current fiscal year in an attempt to reduce losses of the state-run railway company.

Making the announcement at a press conference here on Friday, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said these trains were inflicting losses over the years and their commercial operation and passenger facilitation segment would be handed over to private-sector investors.

The services named were Farid Express, Bolan Express and Khushhal Khan Khattak Express. Though their losses have come down substantially, still they are eating away the company’s finances.

The annual loss of Farid Express had been slashed to Rs150 million in 2014-15 from Rs350 million in 2013-14 while the loss suffered by Bolan Express was reduced to Rs31.40 million from Rs260 million. The loss faced by Khushhal Khan Khattak Express dropped to Rs66.30 million in 2014-15 from Rs510 million in 2013-14.

The minister, however, categorically said there was no plan to privatise the Pakistan Railways.

Eid package

Rafique also announced a special Eid package for the facilitation of train passengers, who would travel just before and after Eidul Azha. Ten special trains will be run from September 21 and their services will continue for eight days.

Passengers will enjoy a 10% discount on fares, but on Eid and the next day the concession will be higher at 25%.

According to the minister, after the successful experience of Green Line train service, three more trains would be upgraded in the current fiscal year. Of these, Karakoram Express will be launched by October 15, Karachi Express by January next year and Tezgam by April 2016.

These trains will offer facilities like WiFi internet, filtered water, separate seats for ladies and LED for business class passengers. A sound system will also be installed for Aazan.

Rafique said the railways had decided to upgrade 16 stations while Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar stations would be handed over to China. These will be modernised under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor programme and will have world-class facilities.

In collaboration with Nespak, five railway stations - Narowal, Hasanabdal, Nankana Sahib, Okara and Sahiwal - will be modernised.

Pointing out that the Supreme Court had directed all provinces to transfer railway land to the state-run company, Rafique said except for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, no province had complied with the order. K-P has handed over about 90% of the land to the Pakistan Railways.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2015.

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COMMENTS (1)

Woz Ahmed | 9 years ago | Reply China is beyond doubt our friend, but it is also a seeking to make a profit from CEPC activities, that is fair, but it should be win win. Have we really handed over our 3 largest trains stations, Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar ? On what basis? What are the terms ? South Punjab solar is priced at Rs 24, thar coal power at Rs 12, yet UAE gets solar at rs5, India generates power from coal at Rs6. I have no issue with the Chinese making a profit, but with 45% losses from theft ,distribution and subsidies, these new power plants won't help us. The terms need to be clear and transparent, the $45 billion in loans need to be paid back, so how about transparency and competitive bidding ?

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