ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways needs 500 more locomotives in next ten years to meet anticipated freight, passenger traffic.
This was revealed by Federal Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique on Friday in Senate during the question-hour. The minister said that process was underway for upgradation and commercial operations of Pakistan Locomotive Factory Risalpur on joint venture basis with private sector participation.
He said with this in view many companies of the world are ready to enter into cooperation with Pakistan Railways for assembly and manufacturing of locomotives and other activities.
Saad Rafique said the process of induction of new locomotives has been started and an order for 55 high horsepower has been placed on General Electric of the USA.
The minister said the government was taking concrete measures to make the Pakistan Railway as profitable entity as the that fiscal deficit of Pakistan Railways for year 2014-15 stands at Rs 27.247 billion as compared to the financial 2013-14 which was Rs 32.527 billion.
To another question, the minister said Railway network was already connected to its neighbouring countries to Iran through Quetta-Taftan link. Saad said the present government has singed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Turkish Railway for revival of fright train service.
