PM briefed about Railways

Caretaker Prime Minister former Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk was informed on Tuesday that Main Line-1 (ML-1) project of railways network from Karachi to Havelian is being upgraded as Early Harvest Project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The Prime Minister following a briefing from the high-ups of Ministry of Railway on overall performance and financial challenges on Pakistan Railways, directed that a comprehensive plan be worked out to overcome the existing challenges for the consideration of the incoming elected government. The challenges stated to be faced by the organization included the issue of pension liabilities contributed to 34 percent of the total expenditure of the organization.
PM Mulk was given a briefing on the progress made in various rail network extension projects under the CPEC and was informed that Main Line-1 (ML-1) project from Karachi to Havelian was being upgraded as Early Harvest Project.
He was told that a feasibility study on up-gradation of ML-2 (Kotri-Attock) project has also been completed and similarly, feasibility studies are in progress on extension of ML-2 (Gwadar-Basima-Jacobabad and Basima-Quetta) as well as of extension of ML-3 (Quetta-Bostan-Zhob-DI Khan-Kotlajam) projects.
The Prime Minister was updated about organizational structure, rail network in the country, past performance and the future development strategy under National Vision 2025 in the railways sector. A detailed briefing was given to the Prime Minister about the new business plan and various initiatives taken, both in freight as well as passenger transportation sector, for the revival of Railways and increasing its revenue. The meeting was informed that as a result of right mix in service, the passenger share in Railways has increased from 13 percent in 2013 to 31 percent in 2017 and Railways revenue was increased to Rs 50 billion in 2017-18 from Rs 15.5 billion in 2011-12.
Nasir-ul-Mulk remarked that due to the CPEC project, there is a huge potential and scope for Pakistan Railways to further improve its performance and increase its share both in passenger as well as freight transportation sector by offering quality services to its customers.
The briefing was attended by Minister for Railways Roshan Khursheed Bharucha, Secretary to the Prime Minister Suhail Aamir, Secretary Railways Muhammad Javed Anwar and senior officers of Ministry of Railways.