Islamabad: According to a press release issued by the Senate Secretariat, The Senate Standing Committee on Railways, chaired by Senator Jam Saifullah Khan, held a crucial meeting at Parliament House to review key issues related to recruitment, pension reforms, and security measures in Pakistan Railways. The session was attended by Senators Nasir Mehmood, Liaqat khan Tarakai, Dost Ali Jessar, Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee, Kamil Ali Agha, Shahadat Awan, and senior officers from the Ministry of Railways.
The committee expressed concerns regarding contractual recruitments, emphasizing the need for transparency and merit-based appointments. Senator Shahadat Awan highlighted the importance of converting contractual positions to regular employment. The Chairman directed that a detailed report on recent transfers within Pakistan Railways be presented in the next meeting.
The Secretary of Pakistan Railways informed the committee that the department currently has 58,000 positions against the required workforce of 95,000. He further noted that the existing pension policy, formulated in 2015, is financially unsustainable. The committee recommended examining international recruitment model for railways police to develop a more viable system for railway employees and law enforcement personnel. The Inspector General of Railway Police proposed introducing a contributory pension system to alleviate financial pressure on the government.
Senator Shahadat Awan reiterated the urgent need for additional railway police personnel, highlighting a shortage of 3,000 staff members and inadequate security equipment. The committee directed that the recruitment of railway police personnel be completed before Eid, with 1,000 additional posts to be advertised before the end of the financial year. Moreover, it was emphasized that all railway bridges and tracks be placed under strict security surveillance.
The committee stressed the necessity of modern security gadgets, including scanners, walkthrough gates, metal detectors, and explosive detectors, to enhance public safety. It recommended that the Ministry of Railways prioritize the installation of such equipment at the top 20 railway stations across Pakistan.
The committee reviewed budgetary allocations and sought explanations regarding incomplete railway projects. Concerns were raised over the non-utilization of funds, particularly in the Thar Coal Project. The Secretary of Railways assured that all ongoing projects would be completed by 30th June 2025. The committee also questioned the repeated revision of PC-1 for the ML-1 project, which has resulted in significant cost escalations. The Ministry was directed to provide a comprehensive report on budget utilization and the progress of railway projects in the next meeting of the committee.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to addressing key issues in Pakistan Railways and Ministry of Railways has been directed to submit detailed reports to the committee on regularization of contractual employees, adoption of a sustainable pension policy, the timely recruitment of railway police personnel, enhanced security measures at railway stations and critical infrastructure and the efficient utilization of budgetary allocations.
The Ministry of Railways has been directed to submit detailed reports on these matters in the next committee meeting.