ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Railways, Hanif Abbasi, chaired a key meeting on railway security and crime prevention today.
The session included a detailed briefing on the performance of the Railway Police.
Railway Minister Abbasi directed that ticket inspection campaigns be strengthened and clarified that strict action will be taken against both passengers and facilitators involved in travelling without a valid ticket.
The Railway Police continue to take robust measures against theft, smuggling, and other criminal activities on railway premises.
The minister stated that travelling without fare will not be tolerated, saying that both the person travelling without a ticket and the person enabling it will land in jail.
After the Minister’s instructions, the anti-encroachment policy has been fully activated, with longstanding illegal occupations on railway land being removed systematically.
High-level officials, including the IG Railway, SP Railway Pindi Division, and senior railway authorities, attended the meeting.
The Federal Minister lauded the active and effective performance of the Railway Police, stating that these measures will significantly improve railway security and ensure passenger safety.
Pakistan to outsource passenger trains
Pakistan Railways has decided to outsource the operations of 11 passenger trains through an open auction to improve services and increase revenue.
This new system will replace the old bidding process, which had fewer participants.
The trains included in the auction are Hazara Express, Bahauddin Zakaria Express, Millat Express, Badar Express, Ghauri Express, Rawal Express, Thal Express, Mohenjodaro Passenger, Farid Express, Mianwali Express and Faiz Ahmed Faiz Passenger Train.
According to railway officials, the old system had many issues. The financial bids for some trains were very low, and few companies took part.
For example, bids worth Rs 7.9 billion were received for nine trains, but Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi cancelled all bids and ordered that future outsourcing should be done through open auction.
Pakistan Railways also plans to outsource freight coaches, break vans, and its schools and hospitals to make operations more profitable.
Also read: Quetta-Chaman Train Service Suspended Amid Border Tensions
