ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways has achieved an unprecedented earning of Rs 66 billion in the first nine months of the current financial year 2023-24, overcoming financial challenges stemming from monsoon floods.
According to official sources in the Ministry, despite facing a financial crisis due to floods, Pakistan Railways is on track to generate revenues of up to Rs 80 billion by the end of the financial year, a testament to the consistent efforts and hard work of Railway workers.
Comparing figures from the previous financial year, during the same period in 2022-23, the department earned approximately Rs 39 billion, marking a historic increase in revenue.
Out of the Rs 66 billion revenue generated, a significant portion was derived from passenger and freight trains, with contributions from other sectors of the department.
Currently, Pakistan Railways is operating around 96 passenger trains, an increase from the previous year’s count of 86 trains. Similarly, the average number of freight trains operated per day increased from 3.75 to seven.
The sources highlighted that the issue of delay in payment of salaries to employees has been resolved, and further improvements are expected once work on the Mainline-I (ML-I) project commences.
In terms of safety measures, Pakistan Railways has intensified precautionary measures to reduce passenger train accidents. Only six minor accidents, with no casualties, occurred on the entire railway network in the country during the last three months.
Efforts to minimize accidents include reducing trespassing at unmanned level crossings and unauthorized locations. Continuous monitoring of railway tracks and thorough inspection of trains are being conducted to prioritize passenger safety.
The sources reiterated that ensuring the safety of passengers remains the top priority of Pakistan Railways, reflecting the department’s commitment to providing reliable and secure transportation services across the country.
