Pakistan Railways gross earnings up in July-Feb FY 2019.

• Author: Kazmi, S. Kamal Hayder

Byline: S. Kamal Hayder Kazmi

In public sector, Pakistan Railway is a single major mode of transport contributing to economic growth and offering national integration in the country. It comprises of total 470 locomotives (458 Diesel Engine and 12 Steam Engines) for 7,791 km length of route. No doubt, Pakistan Railways forms the life line of Pakistan through catering to its needs for large scale movement of freight and passenger traffic. It not only contributes to its economic growth but also promotes national integration. It endeavors to run the trains strictly in accordance to time table. It is said that the progressive freight train support organization operated through professional management and competent staff endeavors to offer reliable, competitive and economical service of recognized standards to its customers.

Earning of Pakistan Railways

Fiscal year Earning (Rs in mn)###% Change

2008-09###23,160###---

2009-10###21,886###-5.5

2010-11###18,740###-14.4

2011-12###15,444###-17.5

2012-13###18,070.55###17

2013-14###22,800.22###26.173

2014-15###31,924###40

2015-16###36,581.87###14.6

2016-17###40,064.95###9.5

2017-18###49,569.68###23.7

(July-Feb)

2017-18###30,891.16

2018-19###34,066.12###10.3

Official said that Pakistan Railways offers an important mode of transportation in the farthest corners of Pakistan and brings them closer for business, sightseeing, pilgrimage and education. The Government of Pakistan also recorded in the economic survey of Pakistan that during FY 2019 (July-February), gross earnings increased by 10.3 percent and amounted to Rs 34,0661 million as compared to Rs 30891.1 million during the corresponding period previous year. During the period July-February FY 2019, number of passengers carried grew to 39.9 million as compared to 35.9 million during the corresponding period previous year, which recorded a growth of 11.0 percent. Likewise passenger traffic km (million), freight carried tons million, and Freight tons km (million) increased by 11.9 percent, 2.9 percent and 7.8 percent, respectively.

However, irregularities are being pointed out through the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP), which amount to a shocking Rs97 billion, in his audit report for 2018-19. The AGP has subsequently directed Railways authorities to take action against those found responsible for the massive loss to the national exchequer.

Report shows that Pakistan Railways generated Rs 49.6 billion in the last fiscal year against operational costs...