Senate panel slates Railways for not providing requested information

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Committee on Railways on Wednesday deliberated on the cases of theft, embezzlement and accidents in the Railways during the last five years, including the status of the audit report, and the probe pending with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

The committee met with Senator Jam Saifullah Khan in the chair here at Old PIPS Hall, Parliament Lodges on Wednesday where Senator Shahadat Awan expressed dissatisfaction with the details provided by the ministry, stating that the ministry failed to provide the requested details for the third consecutive time.

“There is a substantial difference in the details provided by the ministry in the last meeting and the current meeting,” Senator Awan stated.

He said it had been observed that the ministry was reluctant to provide the necessary details. “It is unfortunate to witness that the Railways has thousands of acres of land that are being encroached upon by private individuals, and the department is bearing unimaginable losses as a result of theft and embezzlement,” Senator Awan maintained.

He argued that the Railways could be turned into a profitable organisation if the ministry takes stern action against encroached land and embezzlements.

Committee Chairman Senator Jam Saifullah Khan stated that the provided details reflect malafide intent on the part of the ministry to hide the details.

He directed the ministry to submit all the relevant details in the next meeting.

The committee also directed that in the next meeting, the NAB and FIA heads should also be invited.

The panel recommended that the government appoint a minister for Railways, as the absence of minister seems to be causing losses to the operations of the Railways.

Furthermore, the committee discussed the discontinuation of the railway line known as the Loop Section, formerly operated through the districts of Umerkot, Tharparkar and Mirpurkhas stations.

The matter was raised by Senator Poonjo Bheel.

Officials apprised that the railway line from Jamrao to Pitharo (meter gauge) of 183 km was laid in the British era, and 10 trains used to operate on this section with steam locomotives.

However, the section is closed due to commercial non-viability and because of its old and obsolete design. Senator Bheel argued that the section could be made com mercially viable and could benefit thousands if the government takes the necessary action. The committee recommended that its next meeting be scheduled at Karachi. In attendance were senators Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee, Shahadat Awan, Dost Ali Jessar, Poonjo Bheel, Liaqat Khan Tarakai, the Railways secretary, Railways Police inspector general and other senior officials from relevant departments.