Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Federal Minister for Railways, visited the Pakistan High
Commission London today and was received by H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High
Commissioner to the UK.
The Minister had an interactive session with the officers of the High Commission
and gave an overview of the performance of his Ministry.
The Minister stated that the Pakistan Railways witnessed a turnaround within the
short span of three years. According to the Minister this improvement
became possible as a result of transparency, dedication and
accountability within the Ministry.
Giving an overview of the improvements made in the Railways, the Minister said
that the earnings of entity has significantly increased from Rs. 18.06
billion in 2012-13 to Rs. 36 billion in 2016; I.T. and E-Commerce have
been introduced; E-Ticketing will start next month; Railways land has
been retrieved through targeted operations; and land record has also
been computerised. Similarly the standard of the passenger coaches and
the food has improved great deal, the Minister added. The Minister
informed that in future the locomotives will be assembled in Pakistan.
The High Commissioner informed the Minister about the British companies’
interest in investment in Pakistan Railways and assured of the High Commission’s
assistance in realisation of Pakistan Railways’ mega project. The
Minister welcomed the interest of the British companies and offered that
the British companies could invest in Pakistan Railways on Build,
Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis. The interaction ended with a Q&A
session.
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