Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar has said that the there was a rise in the come of Pakistan Railways after government’s initiative to curb corruption in the department, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The law minister informed the Senate on Wednesday that Pakistan Railways has earned over Rs40 billion in the first half of the current fiscal year.
He told the House during Question-Hour session that the revenue of Pakistan Railways has increased to Rs63.25 billion during the last fiscal year. He said though Pakistan Railways has substantially increased its revenue, yet it is important to reduce its non-development expenditures.
He clarified that the he is answering the questions regarding railways because the portfolio rests with the prime minister and he is out of the country. Pakistan Railways is a national institution and emphasized the need for bringing improvement in its tracks, he added.
Responding to a supplementary question, the law minister said a decline has been witnessed in train accidents during past four years and all railway accidents were enquired to avoid recurrence at various competent tiers of management including the highest level of Federal Government Inspector of Railways.
The minister said that Pakistan Railways during the past five years has operated approximately 203,717 trains with average of about 40,750 trains/year and with an average of 107 accidents/year.
During the same period, 537 train accidents of different classification took place of which only 313 accidents were such that led to loss of life or serious injury.
The minister said that Pakistan Railways has an elaborate system of accidents mitigation, relief mechanism and inquiries.
He said that a total of 2019 accidents occurred in 2019 followed by 145 in 2022, 87 in 2021 and 62 in 2022 while surge was witnessed in 2023 and 84 accidents were reported in this year.
Factorial analysis suggests that 32% accidents are at unmanned level crossing for which the road users are mainly responsible.
During the five years of reporting a total number of 259 employees were held responsible in various degrees and were taken up and punished under Efficiency & Discipline Rules of government of Pakistan.
13 new routes identified in Islamabad for transport service
As many as 13 new public transport routes have been identified in Islamabad and these routes will be made operational from June 2024, to onwards as per requirements of the people the city.
Responding to a question, the Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar said that thirteen feeder routes have been identified and news stations are being established.
He said that procurement, operation and maintenance of buses have been awarded and the routes will be made operational in phase staring from June 2024, onwards.
He said that 30 buses would be operational in the beginning while remaining 130 buses to be acquired in various phases.
He said that buses would ply from B-17 to Chungi No. 26; Sector I-16 to Chungi No. 26; Taramri to Aabpara; Taramri to Khana Bridge; Piwadhai to IJP and to cover various sectors including G-5, G-6, G-7, G-8, G-9, F-8, F-10 and F-11.
Moreover, he said that a Mass-Transit System (with dedicated) from Rawat to Pak-Secretariat via Murree Road is also under consideration at the Planning level for the Capital City.
Apart from the Metro Bus Service from Saddar to Pak- Secretariat (i.e. Red Line), the government has already initiated three public transport routes in ICT through Orange Line, Blue Line and Green Line bus services which are in operations since 2022.
The minister said that thousands of people are getting benefit from this service.
He said that Islamabad Transport Authority (ITA) is making all out efforts to ensure safe and decent private sector run transport within the parameters of Motor Vehicle ordinance 1965.
Reporter Usman Khan