Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi has pledged to overhaul Pakistan’s railway system, admitting that the current state of affairs is in disarray.
Talking to SAMAA TV, Abbasi stated that he considers the ministry a challenge and aims to implement reforms to restore efficiency.
Speaking on the much-anticipated ML-1 project, the minister revealed that no formal agreement has been signed yet. "If China cooperates, we will welcome it. Otherwise, we will complete the project in phases through the private sector on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis," he explained.
Addressing concerns about railway land, Abbasi clarified that it cannot be sold but will be leased out instead. "The Prime Minister has formed a board to oversee the leasing process, and the revenue generated will be reinvested into railway improvements," he said.
The minister dismissed the practice of renaming existing train services for political credit. "I will not take credit by simply changing the name of running trains," he asserted, in an apparent jibe at his predecessors.
Abbasi also acknowledged the poor security conditions within the railway system. "The security structure is very weak. The new IG Railway Police, an experienced officer, has been tasked with improving the situation," he stated. He further lamented that railway scanners are inoperative and that the department has long been a dumping ground for unwanted officials.
Regarding competition with regional counterparts, the minister expressed Pakistan’s ambition to match India’s progress in railway development. He also dismissed concerns that the recent Jaffer Express tragedy was due to internal security lapses, instead blaming "anti-national elements" for attempting to destabilize the country.
Abbasi reaffirmed his commitment to transforming Pakistan Railways into a more efficient and competitive entity, vowing to implement necessary reforms for the sector’s revival.
