Hanif Abbasi rejects Auditor General’s report on Railways losses

Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi has dismissed a recent report by Auditor General about a 19 percent loss in Pakistan Railways, terming it against reality.

Speaking to the media at the Rawalpindi Railway Loco Shed, Hanif Abbasi said that Auditor General report is deceptive and seems to be aimed at impeding the development of Pakistan Railways.

The stated 19 per cent loss, he said, was not the actual scenario, adding that operational costs had been lowered by Rs3.6 billion in the last four months, which he said were operational gains.

The government gives Rs63 billion annually as grant for pension payments and would continue efforts to guarantee that the retirees get their dues, said the federal minister. Railway pensioners are a vital asset of the institution, he said.

Talking about reforms, Hanif Abbasi said that the process of restructuring and digitalisation in Pakistan Railways was moving very quickly.

He stated that Pakistan Railways, in its 178-year history, has achieved its highest-ever revenue objective of Rs115 billion for the first time.