Pakistan Railways has set a target of Rs 16.1 billion as total revenue, including Rs 5 billion to be generated from freight side, for the current fiscal year.
During the last fiscal year, total earning of the Railways was Rs 14.5 billion, including Rs 4.3 billion contributions from the freight sector, official sources told APP here on Thursday.
The high-ups of railways would concentrate on freight traffic, which generates more revenue.
The passenger service is a public service sector where it is difficult to raise fare commensurating with the rising operational cost in view of limited paying capacity of travellers.
About provision of more facilities to passengers and freight services, sources said the emphasis is being made on technology transfer while purchasing passenger coaches, freight wagons and tracks.
Contract to buy 1300 freight wagons has been awarded to a Chinese firm, he said and added, the firm would provide 400 wagons and remaining 900 wagons will be assembled in Mughalpura workshop Lahore.
The gap between Peshawar-Quetta track near Bannu would be filled up and constructed, however, the upgradation of the existing system would be given priority, he said.
He said the Karachi-Lahore-Faisalabad track would be dualised. The age span of a track, once installed, would last from 60 to 100 years. Whereas a road could last only seven to 10 years, the sources added.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2004

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