SC sees no improvement in railway operations.

ISLAMABAD -- The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday observed that Pakistan Railways 'is not being operated the way it should be'.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed, during the hearing of a suo motu notice, noted that in accordance with the rules and manuals of Pakistan Railways, on account of which accidents are taking place frequently, great damage is being caused to the railways in which precious lives are lost.

'There seems to be nothing in sight by which the operations of the railways in Pakistan could be improved,' the CJP said. 'As not only is the infrastructure of the railways is in poor state and non-workable but also its employees are apparently not fit to operate the service.'

The CJP further added that there needs to be serious thinking on part of the federal government regarding the operation of Pakistan Railways and overhauling the secretariat-level positions from top to bottom to ensure its safe functionality.

The apex court expects that measures would be taken by the government immediately to ensure that the railway does not play with the lives of the people and its properties are not lost.

The court also asked directed the Planning Commission to submit a report, in this regard within one month.

According to a short-order issued by the SC, a report has also been submitted by the secretary/chairman, ministry of railways wherein a reference has been made to the up-gradation of railways through Main Line-1 (ML-1), under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and also to the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project.

'As regards to ML-I, it is informed that PC-I is now pending with ECNIC for approval and as soon as...