LAHORE: Federal Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour said on Tuesday that a 12-kilometre railway track from Chaman to Spin Boldak would be laid as the government had given approval for this purpose.

Addressing a press conference here at Railways Headquarter, he said that a project to double railway track from Okara to Lalamusa had been approved and work on this project would soon be started.

He said that though railways was facing financial crisis due to administrative and economic factors but the crisis would soon be overcome.

Answering to a question, Bilour said that railways was facing shortage of locomotives, however, the federal government had invited tenders to purchase 150 locomotives, 500 new wagons and 40 power vans to meet the dearth.

To another question, the minister said that Railways union had withdrawn their strike call on May 29 and their demands were being sent to the finance department.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Railways Arif Azeem alleged that administration of Business Train was violating rules of contract.

"I have directed Divisional Superintendent (DS) Lahore to look into the matter and send a report to the finance department for action," he added.

Earlier, the railways minister chaired a high level meeting in which the performance of Railways was reviewed.

The minister said that Pakistan Railways was taking steps to attract investors for improving the performance of railways.