National News

ISLAMABAD, (APP): Pakistan Railways will upgrade
waiting halls at its 16 major stations by equipping them with
facilities like air-conditioners, internet kiosks and televisions.
The waiting rooms at the stations are generally well
maintained, however, proposals are under consideration to improve
facilities for passengers at railway stations across the country, an
official in the Ministry of Railways told APP.
Initially, 16 stations including Karachi City, Karachi
Cantonment, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Okara, Raiwind,
Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Hassanabdal, Nankana Sahib, Narowal,
Peshawar and Quetta have been selected for upgradation, he added.
He said that the scope of up-gradation will cover all allied
amenities for convenience of passengers. In addition one air-
conditioned waiting room for ladies and one for gents have been
constructed at Lahore Station.
To a question, he said it was not a fact that substandard food
and other items are being sold at railway stations at higher prices
and added in fact the department has introduced a new Catering
Policy whereby the sale of non-standard food and other items have
been completely eliminated.
Now only branded food items such as water, soft drinks, ice-
cream, tea, biscuits etc, are being sold. He said a system of
checking has also been put in place to ensure quality and prices of
eatables being sold at the stations.