Latest news with #SenateStandingCommitteeonRailways
Business Recorder
22-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Austrian co has shown interest in ML-1 project construction, Senate body meeting told
ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Railways Senator Jam Saifullah Khan, Monday, revealed that Pakistani Ambassador in Austria recently has informed a delegation of Pakistani senators that an Austrian company has expressed interest in the construction of ML-1 project. While chairing the Senate Standing Committee on Railways meeting here, Senator Saifullah Khan suggested the Federal Ministry of Railways to consider this option too. Responding to the chairman, federal secretary Ministry of Railways said that allowing other than China's participation in the construction of the project will require international bidding. The secretary railways, briefing the committee on the subject of Punjab government's investment in the rail development, said that the Pakistan Railways (PR) has identified eight routes including Rawalpindi-Lahore to the Punjab government for investment. Recently, the government of Punjab has expressed readiness to invest Rs350 billion in the uplift of railway network in Punjab. Taking part in the debate, Senator Shahadat Awan expressed serious concerns on financial losses, corruption, and railway accidents over the past five years. Awan slammed the ministry for repeatedly providing inaccurate and delayed information to the committee, terming it a breach of privilege and a failure to comply with parliamentary directives. He noted that despite three reminders and a referral to the privileges committee, the ministry had yet to submit correct and complete data. Awan emphasised that the ministry must fix responsibility on officials who misled the committee and failed to deliver the promised information within the agreed timelines. He underscored that over 3,200 FIRs had been registered, and despite promises made during previous meetings, including assurances of revised records within 15 days, accurate figures were still pending. Chairman Senator Jam Saifullah Khan expressed deep concern over the lack of seriousness shown by the ministry in responding to the committee's directives. He said the provision of incorrect or incomplete data not only hinders the committee's oversight role but also raises serious questions about internal accountability mechanisms. The committee asked the ministry to take the matter seriously and ensure that officials responsible for misinformation are identified and action is taken against them. The chairman emphasised that the committee expects due diligence and transparency, especially in cases where millions in public funds are at stake. He directed that complete details of all FIRs, pending investigations, conviction statuses, and recovery efforts must be submitted ahead of the next meeting. He stressed that implementation of court decisions and audit findings must be tracked and shared with the committee. The ministry informed the committee that a total of 3,230 FIRs had been filed during the last five years, citing theft, embezzlement, and misuse of authority. Of the Rs212.883 million in reported property losses, Rs109.487 million had been recovered. The secretary Ministry of Railways admitted that earlier reports were inconsistent due to confusion between calendar and fiscal years but stated that the data has since been reconciled. He added that 1,555 accused have been convicted, while 309 have been acquitted and 1080 cases remain under trial. However, Senator Awan questioned the ministry's failure to disclose progress on several long-pending FIRs and called for disclosure of reopened and unresolved cases, along with full police cooperation. The committee also reviewed the Karachi–Rohri railway line under the ML-1 project, which the ministry identified as a strategic bottleneck in the national rail network. Secretary Railways apprised the committee that the ministry is exploring alternate financing options with development partners. The chairman committee emphasised the need to assess the feasibility of public-private partnerships. The ministry assured the committee that financing routes beyond CPEC are being actively pursued and acknowledged the need for urgent investment to sustain railway operations. Jam Saifullah Khan further raised the issue of railway land encroachment, particularly in Karachi, where the value of occupied land runs into billions. He called for a transparent mechanism to recover and monetise underutilised high-value land assets, adding that the revenue could potentially fund critical infrastructure. He pointed out that corruption complaints continue to surface, particularly related to commercial land holdings, and directed the ministry to submit a clear policy for land management and recovery. The committee also took stock of outdated infrastructure and the unavailability of train services in underserved areas such as Balochistan. Senator Saifullah urged the ministry to prioritise operational efficiency and ensure equitable service provision across all provinces. He concluded the meeting by stating that the committee will reconvene before the end of next month and expects full compliance with its directives, including the submission of all pending records, the status of disciplinary actions, and updates on strategic projects. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
28-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Karachi-Rohri track rehabilitation may commence this year
The Senate Standing Committee on Railways was briefed on upcoming, ongoing, and pending railway projects, as well as the major challenges currently facing the Ministry of Railways. The meeting, chaired by Senator Jam Saifullah Khan, was informed that a total of 38 projects worth Rs 260.085 billion were undertaken during the fiscal year 2024-25. Of these, six projects have been completed, while 32 have been carried forward to 2025-26. While briefing the committee, the Chairman of Railways described the Main Line-1 (ML-1) project — spanning from Karachi to Rohri — as a "lifeline" for the Reko Diq and Thar coal projects, which are expected to commence this year, subject to the availability of funds. He noted that the total estimated cost of ML-1 stands at Rs2,298.18 billion, and a proposal has been submitted for the allocation of Rs75 billion in the financial year 202526 to initiate the project. The committee was further informed that 12 additional projects — covering track expansion, safety enhancements, rehabilitation, track replacement, feasibility studies, and upgraded security systems — require an allocation of Rs11.076 billion in the next fiscal year.
Business Recorder
28-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Chairman Railways tells Senate body: 38 projects worth Rs260.085bn underway in 2024–25
ISLAMABAD: Chairman of Railways Tuesday informed Senate Standing Committee on Railways that a total of 38 projects were underway, with a total cost of Rs 260.085 billion during 2024–25. The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Railways, chaired by Senator Jam Saifullah Khan, was convened Tuesday. The Ministry of Railways briefed the Senate Committee on upcoming, ongoing, and pending projects and informed the committee members about the hurdles currently being faced by the ministry. The meeting was attended by senators, Nasir Mehmood, Dost Ali Jeesar, Asad Qasim, Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee, Kamil Ali Agha, Dost Muhammad Khan, the mover Senator Shahadat Awan, and the Minister for Railways. The chairman of Railways told the Senate Standing Committee on Railways that during the year 2024–25, a total of 38 projects were underway, with a total cost of Rs260.085 billion. Out of the 38 projects, the ministry successfully completed six, and the remaining 32 have been carried forward to 2025–26. The chairman, while briefing on the Main Line (ML-1) project (Karachi to Rohri),described it as the lifeline of the Reko Diq and Thar Coal projects, which are expected to start this year, depending on the provision of funds. He added that the total estimated cost of ML-1 isRs2,298.18 billion, and the ministry has submitted a proposal for an allocation of Rs75 billion for the financial year 2025–26 to initiate the project. It was also revealed to the committee that total 12 projects of expansion, track safety, rehabilitation, replacement of tracks, feasibility studies and upgraded security system required proposed allocation Rs11,076 million during the financial year of 2025-26. The committee demanded the details of delayed projects in the upcoming meeting of the Standing Committee. The committee members commended the newly adopted strategy of the ministry to complete the projects partially in different phases. The chairman of the committee emphasised the need to complete projects on time to avoid extended costs and directed the ministry to deliver high-end railway services to the general public. The Minister for Railways said that, as the country is passing through a financial crisis, the provinces may contribute to the new or ongoing railway projects in their respective areas. He stated that the ministry is planning to upgrade railway schools and hospitals across Pakistan. In response to a query regarding railway land, the minister informed the committee that an anti-encroachment campaign has recently been initiated nationwide against land grabbers. It was also briefed to the committee that Pakistan has developed locomotives and coaches capable of running at speeds over 160 km/h, but unfortunately, the country lacks the required tracks to operate such trains. The chairman of the committee directed the ministry to conduct a feasibility study on upgrading of track system to support high-speed trains in Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
