Parliamentary Secretary for Railways Muhammad Usman Awaisi on Monday informed the National Assembly that Pakistan Railways’ freight revenue had rebounded after a temporary decline caused by the 2022 floods, with consistent growth now being recorded.
Railways freight revenue rebounds after flood impact, reforms underway: NA told
ISLAMABAD, Mar 30 (APP):Parliamentary Secretary for Railways Muhammad Usman Awaisi on Monday informed the National Assembly that Pakistan Railways’ freight revenue had rebounded after a temporary decline caused by the 2022 floods, with consistent growth now being recorded.
Responding to a question during the Question Hour, he said the current fiscal year showed a steady increase, with freight revenue rising by approximately Rs3 million per month compared to last year, indicating improved performance of the sector.
Highlighting reform measures, the parliamentary secretary said Pakistan Railways had planned induction of 820 high-capacity freight wagons, out of which 538 had already been added, contributing to an estimated monthly revenue increase of Rs23 million. He added that passenger services were also being improved, with 230 passenger coaches are being inducted.
Muhammad Usman Awaisi said track maintenance work was underway on key sections, including Tando Adam–Rohri and Rohri–Khanpur, which would further enhance operational efficiency and ensure timely delivery of shipments.
He also highlighted the government’s focus on regional connectivity, particularly linking Pakistan with Central Asia through Iran and Türkiye, which is expected to significantly boost freight operations and revenue generation.
Responding to supplementary questions, he said efforts were underway to retrieve encroached railway land in coordination with provincial authorities and law enforcement agencies, adding that significant progress had been made, particularly in Punjab.
He further informed the House that steps were being taken to modernize payment systems, including installation of point-of-sale (POS) facilities at railway stations.
He said the initiative was linked with ongoing efforts to improve internet connectivity under the Railways infrastructure development project, while passengers could already purchase tickets through digital platforms such as the “Rabta” mobile application.
