Railways targets 14 freight trains by January

Pakistan Railways aims to run 14 freight trains by January, following a directive from Federal Railways Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, Business Recorder reported. The target was set at a meeting on operational performance and ways to raise freight revenue, responding to requests from the business community. The meeting also approved a dry port in Khanewal to support freight earnings.

Officials agreed to add five weighbridges nationwide by December 31 and move operational meetings from railway headquarters to divisional level. The department will seek FIA probes into train examiners over accidents attributed to mechanical faults, while DVM and DVS coaches are to be phased out and sleeper factories shifted to double shifts. Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb separately assured Abbasi that funds for restoring branch lines in the province would be released immediately.