Pakistan Railways not to be privatized: NA told

The National Assembly was told that the government had no intention to privatize Pakistan Railways or close its nationwide service. -APP File Photo

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly was informed on Wednesday that the government had no intention to privatize Pakistan Railways or close its nationwide service, rather steps were being taken to transform it into a profit-oriented entity.

During the question-hour session, Minister of State for Railways Afzal Sindhu said Pakistan Railways had its own workshop for maintenance of faulty engines and repair of damaged coaches.


He said the Ministry of Railways has signed two loan agreements with Export-Import Bank of China on December 14, 2009 for procurement of 75 locomotives and 202 passenger carriages.

He said there was a proposal to connect China with Pakistan through a rail link between Havelian in
Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa and Khunjrab in Gilgit-Baltistan.

However, the proposal was still at a preliminary stage as only a pre-feasibility study has been completed, while the detailed feasibility is yet to be carried out, he added. “The feasibility study will decide whether the project is financially and economically viable for conducting detailed feasibility study. PC-II for the same is under process,” he added.

The House was also informed that a proposal to operate a new air-conditioned Business Train service between Lahore and Karachi was under consideration, which would be run through public-private partnership. The ministry is considering another proposal to purchase used locomotives from South Korea to strengthen Railway-fleet.

In a written reply, the ministry also apprised the national assembly that the Korean Railways evinced interest to supply 50 used 3000 horse power locomotives to Pakistan.

Prior to the commencement of the pilot project a memorandum of understanding would be signed between the railway ministries of the two countries.

Initially, a pilot project of six locomotives would be started for conversion of bogie truck from standard gauge to broad gauge, while on successful completion of field trial of three months on Pakistan Railways network, the ministry would finalize the demand of 44 remaining locomotives along with one years performance guarantee and five years technical support.