He was addressing Pakistan Railways Police passing out parade here at Walton Academy. General Manager Operation, Ashfaq Khattak, Inspector General Railways Police Asghar Ghardazi and other high official were also present on the occasion.
Bilour said that the Railway system has been deteriorating due to past government''s negligence. He lamented that "the railway tracks have never been upgraded since the times of English rule". "We have turned into beggars, while hinting at his money-strapped Railways ministry that has no money even to pay salaries to its employees" he added.
Bilour said the entire Pakistan Railways System is running on 220 engines whereas more 400 engines should be provided to meet the actual need. He added that after the supply of the required engines, he could change the deficit Railway into a profitable organisation. In response to a question he said "In the past, motorways and NLC were given priority over railways, but now we are trying for it to stand on its own feet".
He said that entire system of PR was running on merely 220 locomotives and this shortage remains the major cause of the deficit of revenue and services. Bilour said that though Railway is the main source of freight transport in the world yet Pakistan Railways share has been declining due to non-availability of locomotives he added.
He emphasised that if necessary investment is made in the Pakistan Railways it could be a driving engine for stability of the national economy. He further said that government is fully aware of Railways'' importance and taking measures to improve it. He requested the media, administration and the government to cooperate with the ministry for the revival of the organisation.
Inspector General Railway Police Asghar Ghardazi, speaking on the occasion, said "Railway Police is also combating terrorism in the country like other forces of the country but there is no ban on recruitment in the other department except in Railway police. The shortage of Police Jawans in the Railway Police is creating problems to tackle the terrorism and to control crime in the Railways jurisdiction. He demanded the government to lift police recruitment ban in railway with immediate effect.
Inspector General Railway Police further said that government should provide same facilities and salaries to the Railway Police as are being provided to the Punjab Police. He said Railway Police Jawans are getting only 54 rupees as daily allowance, which is quite insufficient to meet the expenses.
Later on, Federal Minister Railway paid a visit to the Lahore Dry Port Mugulpura along with businessman of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The business Community informed the minister about the existing problems regarding transportation of the goods and delaying tactics of the officials. Bilour assured the traders that their problems would soon be resolved. Talking to media, Federal Minister for Railway, Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, said the Federal government has not taken Awami National Party (ANP) into confidence to arrest the rapidly deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi.