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ISLAMABAD, Dec 12 (APP):The Senate Standing Committee on Railways on Friday unanimously approved the draft of the Transfer of Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2025 after detailed deliberations.
The body met under the chair of Senator Jam Saifullah Khan which was attended by Senator Dost Ali Jeesar, Senator Kami Ali Agha, Senator Rubina Khalid and Senator Shahadat Awan.
Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi briefed the committee on the objectives of the proposed legislation, saying that the amendments aim to attract investment by enabling track access for various stakeholders.
He said that the provision would play a pivotal role in facilitating major national projects, including the Reko Diq project.
The committee was informed that several provincial governments had expressed interest in investing in Pakistan Railways, and the proposed amendments would create an enabling framework for them to contribute to railway infrastructure development.
The Chairman directed the Ministry to ensure the Minister’s inclusion in the Board to reinforce public oversight and strengthen institutional supervision.
The committee also recommended several measures to improve Pakistan Railways’ performance.
It advised the Ministry to engage Chambers of Commerce to encourage investment and expand public-private partnerships.
The Chairman further instructed that the ongoing infrastructure upgrades—such as the installation of LED lighting at major railway stations—be extended to smaller stations as well.
He also called for enhanced public awareness campaigns on safety near railway tracks.
The Chairman directed the Ministry of Railways to present a comprehensive briefing in the next meeting, covering issues such as outsourcing, new recruitments, its effects on employees, manpower planning, budgetary impacts, and comparative revenue statistics before and after outsourcing initiatives.