AAMIR SAEED

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways earned Rs 10.58 billion from freight sector in 2015-16 with an increase of 81 percent from what it earned Rs 1.98 billion in 2012-13, while the average daily business of passenger trains at present is Rs 62 million.

Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcast Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha informed this to the National Assembly on Friday during the Question Hour.

He informed the House that freight operation had almost come to a grinding halt with less than 1 train per day from Karachi Port in 2012-13, which has been increased at an average of 10 trains per day in 2016.

On the induction of new locomotives and steps taken by the government, the revenue earned from passenger sector during the financial year 2015-16 was Rs 20.36 billions, he said, adding that during financial year 2012-13, revenue earned from passenger sector was Rs 13.53 billion.

The parliamentary secretary said that the availability of locomotives has increased 62 percent as before the induction of these locomotives the daily available locomotives for operational purpose were 180, but the average number has now reached 293 daily.

He informed the House that Pakistan Railways has fleet of 448 locomotives out of which 293 are functional and 155 are non-functional.

To another question, the minister for railways informed the House through a written reply that the average daily business of passenger trains in monetary terms at present is Rs 62 million.

There was a huge differential between the earnings and expenditure from passenger services till June 2013 which enhanced the losses significantly, he said, adding that since July 2014, the earnings have increased the variable cost by Rs 17.41 billion (July-14 to March-17).

Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Muhammad Baligh-ur-Rehman informed the House that the number of out-of-school children has drastically decreased in last 3 years due to effective measures of the government.

He said 55 percent out-of-school children have been brought back to schools in Islamabad Capital Territory, while the ratio in Punjab is 23 percent, KP, 10 percent, and AJK, 7 percent. He said it is unlucky that zero percent reduction in out-of-school children was recorded in Sindh.

To another question, Parliamentary Secretary for Capital Administration and Development Division Maiza Hameed said that a number of steps have been taken to impart quality education to students living in the federal capital.

She said fee has been totally waived off while the students are also being provided with free transport and books.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmad informed the House that the government has devised a comprehensive recruitment policy and mechanism to ensure merit and transparency in the recruitment process at all levels.

The recruitment mechanism and initial screening will be conducted by a testing agency to be hired by the relevant ministries and divisions, he said.

Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid informed the House that Pakistan Environment Protection Agency conducts surveys of industrial areas to check industrial pollution in the federal capital. He said non-biodegradable plastic bags have been banned to protect environment in Islamabad.