National News

ISLAMABAD, (MILLAT+APP): The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on
Wednesday was informed that Pakistan Railways has started work on
the computerization of Railway land record.
The committee met here at the Parliament House under the
chairmanship Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah.
Members of the committee MNAs Raja Muhammad Javed Ikhlas,
Muhammad Arshad Khan Leghari, Dr. Darshan, Shaikh Rohale Asghar,
Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Mian Abdul Mannan, Abdul Rashid
Godil, Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Shahida Akhtar Ali also present
on the occasion.
The committee is briefed by the senior officials of Pakistan
Railways about its performance and operations.
The committee raised various questions pertaining to reduction
of stops of trains at various railways stations.
Member of the committee Mahmood Khan Achakzai said on
number of ailways stations trains do not stop creating
inconvenience to the passengers of that respective areas.
Chairman of the committee Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah observed
that there is constant decrease in the rail tracks and locomotives.
He said Pakistan Railways workshop is one of the biggest
in Asia but unfortunately not operational.
Secretary Railways said Pakistan Railways allocated very
less funds in comparison to National High Authority (NHA) in
previous years.
She said only on short term land are leased and there is
complete ban on the sale of Railways land as per policy.
Chairman PAC also raised question regarding leasing a building
near Sukkur Railway Station which is converted into marriage hall.
Secretary Railways said ministry would conduct inquiry
into the matter and submit its report to the committee.
Senior officials of Pakistan Railways said work on
doubling of track upto Lahore is completed, adding that e-ticketing
system has been also introduced.
They said private sector participation encouraged to
further improve the services.
The officials said passenger insurance has introduced and
passengers facilitation centers has established to entertain the passengers.
Later, the committee discussed the audit paras related to
Pakistan Railways.
Audit during last six years reported un-authorized
occupation/ encroachment of Railway land valuing Rs.14,413 million.
Audit observed that there is persistent trend of encroachment of
Railway land.
The Railways officials informed that committee that 3,555 acre
encroached land is retrieved in four phases. They said some
people have gone in litigation.