Federal Minister for Railways, Hanif Abbasi, has committed to restructuring Pakistan Railways, acknowledging the current system’s inefficiencies.
In an interview with Media, Abbasi described the railway ministry as a challenge and emphasized his determination to implement reforms for improved functionality.
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Regarding the long-awaited ML-1 project, he revealed that no official agreement has been signed yet. He stated that while Pakistan welcomes China’s cooperation, the project would proceed in phases through the private sector using a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model if necessary.
On railway land management, Abbasi clarified that while land cannot be sold, it will be leased instead. A special board formed by the Prime Minister will oversee the leasing process, ensuring that the revenue generated is reinvested into railway development.
Rejecting the tradition of renaming train services for political mileage, Abbasi asserted that he would not take undue credit by changing existing train names, subtly criticizing past administrations.
He also addressed security concerns within the railway system, acknowledging its vulnerabilities. He announced that a newly appointed IG of Railway Police, an experienced officer, has been tasked with enhancing security. Additionally, he pointed out that railway scanners are non-functional and that the department has historically been used as a dumping ground for unwanted officials.
Comparing Pakistan’s railway progress to India’s, Abbasi emphasized his goal of bringing Pakistan Railways up to competitive standards. He dismissed claims that the recent Jaffer Express incident resulted from internal security failures, instead attributing it to “anti-national elements” attempting to create instability.
Abbasi reaffirmed his commitment to revitalizing Pakistan Railways, promising crucial reforms to transform it into a more efficient and competitive transportation network.
