PR owns 468 engines, 1,820 bogies
RECORDER REPORT
ISLAMABAD: The Senate was informed on Tuesday that Pakistan Railways currently owns 468 locomotives and 1,820 coaches (bogies), of which 145 are almost new as they were inducted during years 2014 to 2017.
In a written reply to a question by PTI Senator Muhammad Azam Swati, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said that 1,248 coaches are operational while 752 are non-operational and added that during the last four years, there has been significant increase in number of locomotives and coaches, which were made operational by fixing and refurbishing them.
The documents shared with the senators and the media revealed that there has been steady reduction in average rainfall in Islamabad, as it was recorded 1508mm in 2014, 1611mm in 2015, 1136mm in 2016 and 1083mm in 2017.
MQM’s Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh had asked about average rainfall in Islamabad Capital Territory and whether it is a fact that large quantity of rainwater goes wasted in this region due to insufficient storage.
Ahsan Iqbal said that sufficient rainwater was stored in Simly and Rawal dams. However, the remaining quantity of rainwater goes wasted in the region due to unavailability of structures/dams.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb told the House that a summary had been moved to the competent authority for approval on data integration of PTV and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation with EOBI.
To another question, she said that the amount received from the Power Division under the head of TV fee during the last ten years was: Rs2269 million in 2007-08, Rs2438 million in 2008-09, Rs2810 million in 2009-10, Rs3968 million in 2010-11, Rs3956 million in 2011-12, Rs4425 million in 2012-13, Rs4765 million in 2013-14, Rs4714 million in 2014-15, Rs6229 million in 2015-16 and Rs6756 million in 2016-17.
She said there was no mechanism to reconcile the discrepancies and PTV is entirely dependent on the data provided by PEPCO. However, present management, she noted, is working on it and devising a proper mechanism to reconcile the figures with the Power Division to record and pursue the defaulted amounts.
“In the light of data provided by PEPCO, DISCOs remit the amount of TV licence fee to PTV on monthly basis. However, if there is any difference found in the data of TV license fee and the amount remitted by the DISCOs, PTV pursues the concerned DISCO for the recovery of less remitted amount. PTV has also started checking the reported defaulted amount. Starting with this practice, PTV checked different defaulted cases of IESCO and found that about 300 cases against which the amount of TV fee had been received by IESCO but not remitted to PTV. The matter has been taken up with IESCO authorities,” she said.
The Senate was informed that three FIRs were filed against Axact Pvt Ltd regarding preparing and selling fake degrees and remittances out of Pakistan so far.
During the question-hour, in reply to a question by Senator Rana Mahmoodul Hassan of PML-N, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that Khanani and Kalia along with Axact scandal have been investigated by FIA Sindh zone, Karachi, and NR3C, Islamabad.
About the update, he said in a written reply that case FIR # 07/2016, dated 27-05-2015, was registered in FIA CCC Karachi regarding fake degree scandal of M/s Axact against Shoaib Ahmad Siddqiue and others. The information officer of the case had already submitted final charge sheet on March 02, 2016 in the court of additional district and sessions judge South Karachi and the case is presently under trial.
He added case FIR # 51/2015, dated 14-10-2015, was registered in FIA, CBC, Karachi regarding remittances out of Pakistan through Hawala to the tune of Rs170.17 million against Shoaib Siddique in collusion with Exchange Company M/s Chanda and Exchange Company B-(Pvt) Ltd. Karachi. The final charge sheet was submitted on January 31, 2016 in the court of district and sessions judge, Karachi.
Likewise, he noted case FIR # 56/2015, dated 07-06-2015, was registered in FIA, NR3C, Islamabad, against Shoaib Ahmad Sheikh, CEO of M/s Axact Pvt Ltd, and his 27 accomplices for preparing and selling degrees on fake online educational institutions with fake accreditation bodies, enticing innocent people through impersonation as student counselors within Pakistan and abroad.
“Challea was submitted in the court and trial court acquitted 26 accused on October 31, 2016 while appeal against the impugned judgment had been filed in Islamabad High Court. Lastly, the appeal was fixed on January 22, 2018. Next date is in office”
The minister said case FIR # 76/2008 was registered at FIA, ACC, Karachi, on November 15, 2008 and final challan was submitted on March 06, 2009 in the court regarding Khanani and Kalia scam.
