ISLAMABAD: The Senate Committee on Railways Monday directed that the recruitment of railway police personnel be completed before Eid, with 1,000 additional posts to be advertised before the end of the financial year.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the key issues in Pakistan Railways and directed the railways ministry to furnish with it detailed reports on adoption of a sustainable pension policy, timely recruitment of railway police personnel with the approach to review the decision for induction on regular basis instead of contract, enhanced security measures at the railway stations and critical infrastructure and efficient utilization of budgetary allocations.
Senator Jam Saifullah Khan chaired the committee held at the Parliament House to review the key issues related to recruitment, pension reforms, and security measures in the Pakistan Railways.
The committee expressed concerns over the contractual recruitments, emphasizing the need for transparency and merit-based appointments.
Senator Shahadat Awan highlighted the importance of converting the contractual positions into regular employment. The chairman directed that a detailed report on recent transfers in the Pakistan Railways be presented in the next meeting.
Secretary railways informed the committee that the department currently had 58,000 positions against the required workforce of 95,000. He further noted that the existing pension policy, formulated in 2015, was financially unsustainable. The committee recommended examining the international recruitment model for railways police to develop a more viable system for railway employees and law-enforcement personnel.
Inspector General of Railways Police proposed introducing a contributory pension system to alleviate financial pressure on the government.
Senator Shahadat Awan reiterated the urgent need for additional railway police personnel, highlighting a shortage of 3,000 staff and inadequate security equipment. The committee directed that the recruitment of railways police personnel be completed before Eid, with 1,000 additional posts to be advertised before the end of the financial year.
Moreover, it was emphasised that all railway bridges and tracks be placed under strict security surveillance.
The committee stressed the necessity of modern security gadgets, including scanners, walkthrough gates, metal detectors, and explosive detectors, to enhance public safety.
It recommended that the Ministry of Railways prioritize the installation of such equipment at the top 20 railway stations across Pakistan.
The committee reviewed budgetary allocations and sought explanations regarding incomplete projects. Concerns were raised over the non-utilization of funds, particularly in the Thar Coal Project. The secretary railways assured the committee that all ongoing projects would be completed by 30th June 2025.
The committee also questioned the repeated revision of PC-1 for the ML-1 project, which resulted in significant cost escalations. The ministry was directed to provide a comprehensive report on budget utilization and the progress of railway projects in the next meeting of the committee. Senators Nasir Mehmood, Liaquat Khan Tarakai, Dost Ali Jessar, Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee, Kamil Ali Agha, Shahadat Awan, and senior officers from the Ministry of Railways attended the meeting.
