ISLAMABAD: The Senate was informed on Wednesday that Railways has finalized a plan to upgrade its track from Karachi to Peshawar via Lahore in the next five years under China Pakistan Economic Corridor project.
Responding to a question raised by Bahramand Khan Tangi, Minister for Pakistan Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said the Main Line-1 from Karachi to Peshawar via Lahore except Khanewal-Shor Kot-Faisalabad-Shahdara Section will be upgraded under CPEC project.
The Minister said Railways track from Lahore to Peshawar via Rawalpindi will be made dual in the next five years while 730 kilometer track has been rehabilitated/ partially rehabilitated through Complete Track Renewal, Sleeper Renewal and Rail Renewal under different PSDP Projects.
He informed that PC-I for rehabilitation of Track and Bridges in Sukkur Division is in process.
He said average 77.10 percent of track is overage, while 86 percent of Railways bridges are more than 100 years old but all bridges are safe for train operation due to effective maintenance owing to regular maintenance, rehabilitation and strengthening of these bridges.
Responding to another question, the minister said all the bridges are inspected annually as per schedule and minor repair are carried out departmentally in routine to ensure safety.
He said recently 230 bridges have been rehabilitated/ reconstructed under various development projects.
Replying a question, he said total numbers of posts lying vacant in Pakistan Railways in BS-01 to BS-22 are 23,748.
To another query, he said an area of 15,025.44 acres has been licensed/leased out for various purpose premium shops, stacking, agriculture, parking stands & petrol pumps during last ten years from January, 2008 to December, 2017.
Earlier, the House was informed today that no request has so far been received to handover Dr Shakeel Afridi to the United States and no external pressure will be accepted in this regard.
Responding to a question during Question Hour, the minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi said PTI Government would not make any compromise over national security and every decision or initiative will be taken indigenously to safeguard the national interest.
Replying to another question, the minister said that for the first time of the history of Pakistan the government is working on policy to mainstream the local arms manufacturers. He said under this policy products of local manufactures will be marketed in and outside Pakistan.
The Minister of State also informed the House that a policy is being evolved for uniform number plates of vehicles on road.
