ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour on Tuesday assured his all out efforts to make Pakistan Railways (PR) a profit earning organization.
Talking to APP, he said two Chinese, four Japanese and three American engines that were not in running condition, have been repaired and overhauled at Central Diesel Locomotive (CDL) workshop at a cost of Rs 31 million by utilizing Pakistan Railways own resources and man power.
Pakistan Railways had overhauled 16 locomotives earlier and eight to ten more locomotives would also be revamped soon.
There are over 12,000 parts in a locomotive, he said adding local and imported spareparts have been used to overhaul rail engines.
The Minister said, Pakistan Railways has total 156 locomotives which are in running condition while Indian Railways have 8300 locomotives. The position of PR is not comparable to the Indian Railways.
To a question, the Ghulam Ahmed Bilour said Pakistan Railways would soon get Rs 6.1 billion loan from banks which would help bring Pakistan Railways out of crisis.
The minister said that last year was very difficult period for Pakistan Railways. "Now things have started changing and during current year, the affairs of Pakistan Railways would witness positive changes."
Ghulam Ahmed Bilour said that its bailout package had released on time, the situation would have been much better for the PR.
He said that there are total 85,000 employees of Pakistan Railways with over 140,000 pensioners.
The minister dispelled the impression that he was running any transport company. "Not me and my any family member is running a transport company".
To a question, he said, except India, all over the world Railways are in deficit adding Indian Railways was given $11 billion by the government in May 2011.
"We will have to make investments in Railways to make it a vibrant organization", he said.
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