PM Imran expected to inaugurate Mianwali Rail car this week

RAWALPINDI: Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said that prime minister Imran Khan is likely to inaugurate Mianwali Rail Car on Friday.

The minister disclosed this during a meeting with Director General Frontier Work Organization (FWO) Inam Haider Malik, said a statement issued here.

FWO showed interest in working with Pakistan Railways at Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis.

Sheikh Rashid showed interest in construction of Gawader-Quetta section in standard gauge to convert Quetta-Taftan section into standard gauge. He asked DG FWO to ensure security of pilgrims at Quetta-Taftan section.

The minister asked FWO to make a new alignment in standard gauge from Karachi to Peshawar. Sheikh Rashid also expressed interest in straightening the curves of Kalowal- Pindora section.

The meeting was also attended by Chairman, Ministry of Railways Javed Anwar, Secretary Railway Board Farukh Taimur Ghilzai, and DG Technical Munawar Shah.

Rasheed last week had announced a ‘dam tax’ from Rs 1 to Rs 10 on railway tickets, depending on the price of tickets.

According to the minister, the ‘dam tax’ would help generate a significant amount per annum that will eventually be deposited into the dam fund. He also tweeted that the rate of Rs100 ticket will be increased by Rs1 in order to collect money for the dams.

He announced that a tax worth Rs1 to Rs10, varying according to different ticket prices, would be added to the price of train tickets as the Ministry of Railways’ contribution for the Diamer-Bhasha dam fund.