ISLAMABAD:The Senate Standing Committee on Railways on Wednesday asked the government to appoint a full-time railway minister whose absence, it feels, is causing losses to the operations of Pakistan Railways.

The committee meeting, chaired by Senator Jam Saifullah, deliberated on the cases of theft, embezzlement, and accidents in the railways during the last five years, including the status of the audit report and the probe pending with the FIA.

The matter was raised by Senator Shahadat Awan, the mover, who expressed dissatisfaction over the details provided by the railways ministry, stating that the ministry failed to provide the requested details for the third consecutive time.

There is a substantial discrepancy in the details provided by the ministry in the last meeting and in the current meeting. It has been observed that the ministry is reluctant to provide the necessary details.

He said it is unfortunate to witness that the railways has thousands of acres of land that are being encroached upon by private individuals, and the railways is bearing unimaginable financial losses as a result of theft and embezzlement, Senator Shahadat Awan maintained.

He argued that the railways could be turned into a profitable organisation if the ministry takes stern action against encroachers and embezzlement.

Senator Jam Saifullah Khan stated that the provided details reflect malafide intent on the part of the ministry to hide the details. He directed the ministry to submit all the relevant details in the next meeting.

The committee chairman also directed the relevant quarters to invite heads of NAB and FIAthat in the next meeting.

Furthermore, the committee discussed the discontinuation of the railway line known as the loop section, formerly operated through the districts of Umerkot, Tharparkar, and Mirpurkhas stations. The matter was raised by Senator Poonjo Bheel.

Officials apprised that the railway line from Jamrao to Pitharo (meter gauge) of 183 km was laid in the British era, and ten trains used to operate on this section with steam locomotives. However, the section is closed due to commercially enviable and because of its old and obsolete design.

Senator Poonjo Bheel argued that the section could be made commercially viable and could benefit thousands if the government takes the necessary action. The committee recommended that the next meeting of the committee be scheduled at Karachi.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2024