Shehbaz Sharif says efforts should focus on improving railway system to increase revenue
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif holds a meeting with Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi in Islamabad. PHOTO: Office of the Prime Minister
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government was avoiding imposing additional financial burden on the public during a meeting with Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi in Islamabad on Monday, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
The statement said the two discussed the overall performance of Pakistan Railways, ongoing reforms and future plans, with the minister briefing the Prime Minister on operational matters.
Abbasi said that “in view of the situation in the Gulf and to facilitate service to the public, no increase in fares of all operational trains across the country is being made.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz said that “in the current economic conditions, the government avoids imposing additional burden on the public” and stressed that efforts should focus on improving the railway system to increase revenue.
He further ordered that “reform measures be expedited to transform Pakistan Railways into a modern, safe and reliable transportation system.”
Reaffirming the government’s priorities, the Prime Minister said it “remains committed to the public welfare agenda” and aims to improve institutional performance to put the country on the path to development, according to the statement.
He further charged the Railways Minister to “ensure timely completion of ongoing projects” and use all available resources to provide “better, safer and more affordable travel facilities” to the public, it added.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz had ordered Pakistan Railways to freeze fares despite rising diesel costs. The government needs to spend an additional Rs 6 billion until June 30 to keep travel affordable and transport costs stable.
According to a Pakistan Railways spokesperson, the government chose to absorb the impact of the diesel price hike itself “after a 30 percent fare hike was deemed inevitable to meet operational expenses.”
Last week, the government further increased petrol prices by Rs 137 per liter to a record high of Rs 458.4. This is the second major hike in fuel prices in less than a month. However, on Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz announced a reduction of Rs 80 per liter in oil tax on petrol.
This is the second major increase in fuel prices in less than a month after Prime Minister Shehbaz increased diesel and petrol prices by Rs 55 per liter last month. The cumulative increase in the price of gasoline over one month amounts to 63% and that of fast diesel to 75%.
