Railways targets 14 freight trains by January
LAHORE: Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi has directed Pakistan Railways to increase freight operations, setting a target of operating 14 freight trains by January in response to demands from the business community. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by the federal minister to review the department’s operational performance and explore measures to enhance freight…
LAHORE - Pakistan Railways has been instructed to boost freight operations, with a goal of running 14 freight trains by January, in response to the business community's requests. This directive was announced by Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi during a meeting to assess the department’s performance and discuss ways to boost freight revenue.
The gathering authorized the construction of a dry port in Khanewal to boost freight earnings and agreed to install five more weighbridges nationwide by the end of the year to prevent overloading. Concerned by train accidents due to mechanical failures, the meeting decided to involve the Federal Investigation Agency in investigating train examiners responsible for the technical condition of trains.
To enhance efficiency, it was decided to halt meetings at the railway headquarters and replace them with divisional-level gatherings. Additionally, the department was tasked with removing DVM and DVS coaches from service and introducing double shifts at sleeper factories to increase production. The minister expressed frustration over the delay in procuring spare parts for locomotives and passenger coaches and ordered the relevant officials to resolve the issue promptly.
Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi also had a meeting with Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, who pledged the swift release of funds for restoring branch railway lines in the province.
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