In view of the poor financial health and recurring losses, Pakistan Railways is set to suspend running of 102 more passengers and freight trains causing Rs 5.631 billion yearly loss to the public sector transport. Business Recorder has learnt that a summary in this regard has been sent to Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for his approval.
Sources in the Pakistan Railways said that through this summary, Pakistan Railways has proposed to close down operations of 8 mail trains, 28 intercity and 66 passengers' trains. According to a document available with Business Recorder, 8 mail trains were causing Rs 1.361 billion annual financial losses to Railways.
These trains are: Tezrao Rs 188.4 million, Chiltan Express 156.3 million, Shalimar Express 74.4 million and Shah Rukn-e-Alam Rs 85.5 million. The 28 intercity trains were causing yearly Rs 1.416.4 billion revenue losses to railways.
The intercity trains running in losses are: Pakpattan Express Rs 77.4 million, Ravi Express Rs 44.0 million, Sargodha Express Rs 36.7 million, Rohi Express Rs 172.8 million, Sandal Express Rs 49.4 million, Tipusultan Express Rs 34.9 million, Mehran Express 62.0 million, Kotri Express 15.9 million, Saman Sarkar Express 13.4 million, Qalandar Express 63.7 million, Rohri Express 39.1 million, and Badin Express Rs 19.4 million.
Sources said that Pakistan Railways was facing revenue loss of Rs 16. 03.5 billion Every year by 66 passenger trains, therefore Railways authorities have decided to suspend all uneconomical passengers' trains It may be added the PR has already suspended operations of 16 passengers trains.
In the next phase, passengers trains, including Lahore Passenger, Babu Passenger, Peshawar Passenger, Attock Rawalpindi Passenger, Sibi Passenger, Kotri Passenger, Waris Shah Passenger, Okara Passenger, Wazirabad Narowal Passenger, Sakhi Abbas Passenger, Rawalpindi Passenger, Larkana Passenger, Quetta Chamman Passenger, Kasur Passenger, Bulleh Shah Passenger, Multan Passenger, Attock Passenger, Jand Passenger, Shoorkot Passenger, Sargodha Passenger and Sultan Bahu Passenger would also be suspended, Railways documents revealed.