Apex Court bars Pakistan Railways from selling its land.

Islamabad -- The Supreme Court on Friday barred Pakistan Railways from selling its land in centre and provinces.

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar issued the order while hearing a case related to allegedly illegal occupation of the Pakistan Railways' land. The court order prevents sell of land under use by the railways.

'The railways cannot lease land owned by centre and province for more than five years while land not required for railways operation can be leased for five years,' it said.

The apex court also barred Pakistan Railways from developing housing society schemes. 'The railways cannot allow for its land to be illegally occupied,' it said.

Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashed said his ministry sought to lease railways to overcome deficit. He underscored that the land will not be auctioned. 'We can earn Rs3 billion in profits annually if we lease the land,' he...