ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court was informed by Railway’ officials that Pakistan Railways had faced loss worth Rs 628 billion due to recent flood across country.  They said that all tracks were restored by department itself without any assistance from federal government.   Court, however, sought detailed report from Pakistan Railway regarding its land and future planning to make institution profitable.

Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial remarked that railway station was heart of any city and it should include hotel, restaurant and shopping centre as passengers also need to do shopping. CJP remarked that in our country there were residential areas in 50 feet away from railway tracks. He observed that railway tracks were not safe as two people died recently as a ‘rikshaw’ came in way of train on Khanewal-Lahore track. Chief Justice remarked that motorways were safer as it was fenced.

He remarked that railway had no clear plan regarding lease of its land. Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan remarked that an attempt was made to construct a housing society on railway’s land and it was saved due to interference of top court. All process land lease should be transparent and should also be audited by auditor general, he said. Bench instructed railway official to submit detailed report which include proposals for lease as well. Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail said that all railway’ quarters in Quetta had been sold out.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 10 2023

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